Most of the domestic leagues around the World may be taking a break but that only means that international football has taken centre stage. Yesterday produced a round of international friendly fixtures and much more significantly, World Cup qualifiers to whet the appetite.
Several nations have already secured their spot in South Africa next summer. The nature of World Cup qualifying in Asia, where there are two groups of five competing for four automatic spots with relatively weaker nations, produces the first countries confirmed at each World Cup. Aside from the host nation of course, who have the benefit of foregoing the stress of qualifying.
This time around Japan, Australia and South Korea all took the honour of being the first nations to know that they can safely make their travel arrangements for 276 days time. They were swiftly followed by the Netherlands, who for the time being remain the only European nation to have cemented a World Cup space.
The last automatic qualifier from the Asia section has since been confirmed as North Korea. Which will no doubt add some political spice to the proceedings- particularly if they were to be matched with the USA, who are on course for their sixth successive appearance in the competition.
Which brings us up to yesterday, and the confirmation that Brazil will once again be at the World Cup, and once again will be considered as a strong favourite to win it. Not too surprising when you consider that Brazil are the only nation to have featured at every World Cup tournament since it's inception in 1930 . Most pleasing for Brazil's coach Dunga will be the manner in which qualification was secured, with a 3-1 victory over their fierce rivals Argentina.
As for Argentina, they are continuing to make their participation at the 2010 World Cup a struggle. They have of course been under the management of Diego Maradona since November of last year. A unison that was viewed as both inevitable and popular, considering how much he is revered. Although others doubted his capabilities in transferring his footballing genius as a player to that required as a manager.
As is stands, Maradona has led Argentina to 6 wins and 3 losses during his tenure, with notable victories over France and Russia. The problem is that both of those were friendlies whilst the three losses have crucially been World Cup qualifiers. Remarkably their loss to Brazil on Saturday was only the second time Argentina have lost a home qualifying match for the tournament, and they now face a trip to Paraguay on Wednesday where they will hope to reinvigorate their campaign.
Most important for Maradona will be a positive performance as well as the result, in order for him to maintain that Argentina are heading in the right direction under his guidance. They are fourth in their qualifying group which is still good enough to take them to South Africa. Even failing that fifth place would pitch them in a play-off against the nation that finishes fourth in the North, Central America and Caribbean group (most likely Costa Rica).
Looking at the North, Central America and Caribbean group, there is little doubt that the World Cup will definitely see three nations out of Honduras, USA, Mexico and Costa Rica. All four are separated by a solitary point, with Mexico turning around their fortunes after the failure of Sven-Göran Eriksson’s time in charge. This represents Argentina's worse nightmare, if they were to face a play-off with Mexico for a ticket to the World Cup.
Meanwhile closer to home, European nations are lining up for South Africa in a reasonably predictable formation. Spain and England are practically guaranteed for the summer party, the only thing that can put the icing on the cake for Fabio Capello and England is if they manage to defeat Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, Germany and Russia are tussling for top spot in their Group 4, whichever loses out looks odds-on for a coveted play-off shoot out when the groups are finalised. Italy are likewise battling out their group with the Republic of Ireland, who in a nice twist are managed by former Italy manager Giovanni Trappatoni.
Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia and Serbia are all sitting atop their respective groups and are threatening the status quo. The likes of France and Poland have more work to do just to gain a play-off space. Whereas former power-houses Portugal and the Czech Republic look like they will definitely not be at the World Cup. Bearing in mind England's recent misfortunes at the hands of Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo I can't say that I will miss them very much!
The other home nations of the United Kingdom are still in the hunt for World Cup qualification, with Scotland and Northern Ireland occupying second in their groups with lots to play for. Both nations extended their chances yesterday, Scotland secured a 2-0 win over FYR Macedonia, and Northern Ireland narrowly failed to defeat Poland away (1-1).
Wales, who continue to be a work in progress for the long-suffering John Toshack, will once again fail to reach a major tournament. On the plus side, Wales have several promising youngsters coming through the ranks and genuinely look like they have a bright future, this campaign is simply too early for them.
Moving on to the African continent, the Ivory Coast and Ghana both look set to reach consecutive World Cups. Whereas Cameroon and Nigeria have still got some work to do if they wish to replicate past glories in the tournament, currently both are playing catch-up to Gabon and Tunisia respectively. The final African group has Egypt and Algeria deadlocked on points, and I must admit that I am personally rooting for the Egyptians after their impressive performances at this summer's Confederations Cup.
Finally we come to the least glamorous of all the regionalised World Cup qualifying groups, the Oceania region. For some inexplicable reasoning, Australia are no longer a part of the Oceania region and for this campaign participated with the Asia section- having already qualified as mention earlier.
This has left New Zealand to pick up the reigns as the region's heavyweight, and they have duly complied by dispatching Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu! There reward is to sit back and await a play-off for what is traditionally the final World Cup place to be decided. They will face the winners of the Asia zone play-off between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which has yet to be decided.
This coming Wednesday will clear things up even more as the final few rounds of qualifying begin, and as you can see there are still plenty of tangents available for those nations still in the hunt.
England on the other hand will most likely be toasting the confirmation of their own participation in next summer's extravaganza. Something that should only be mildly celebrated, after all it is potentially just the beginning of what we hope will be a long journey. Still it does kind of make you want to wish away the season and get on with it all, I can't wait!