FIFA.com

The celebrations following South Africa's successful hosting of the FIFA Confederations Cup were short-lived, as the focus has now turned to 2010.

With Asia the first continent to complete automatic qualifying for South Africa 2010, FIFA.com takes a look back at some stars of past campaigns.

Japan midfielder Junichi Inamoto has signed for French Ligue 1 side Rennes hoping the move will help his cause for a third FIFA World Cup finals appearance.

Australia captain Lucas Neill spoke to FIFA.com about his country's successful qualifying campaign and aspirations for South Africa 2010.

Côte d'Ivoire striker Didier Drogba told FIFA.com of his South Africa 2010 ambitions and why the first FIFA World Cup on African soil is important.

New Zealand Football have confirmed Wellington's Westpac Stadium will host the South Africa 2010 play-off against Saudi Arabia or Bahrain later this year.

Though sharing a rich history, South Africa 2010 will mark the first occasion both Korea Republic and Korea DPR appear on the world's main stage.

Argentina legend Diego Maradona has signed a bumper contract to continue as coach of the national team for the period November 2008 to October 2009.

Iran's failure to qualify for South Africa 2010 was arguably the biggest shock on the Asian continent with Team Melli facing a period of rebuilding.

The current African Zone qualifiers for South Africa 2010 has seen several countries taking steady strides towards next year's event.

Inspirational defender and fans favourite Marcus Tulio Tanaka talks to FIFA.com as Japan became the first nation to reach South Africa 2010.

Titi Camara guided Guinea to victory in their first South Africa 2010 qualifier since he took over and Frederic Kanoute scored in a key win for Mali.

There were away successes for Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and Algeria with Kenya the only home side to win in 20 June's six South Africa 2010 qualifiers.

Algeria, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire were all able to celebrate wins as the third round of qualifying for South Africa 2010 reached the halfway stage.

Algeria beat Zambia 2-0 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier to go top of African zone Group C, as Majid Bougherra and Rafik Saifi struck to secure the points....

Korea DPR's historic FIFA World Cup qualification and Iran's surprise failure to reach the world stage has been the focus in Asian media this week.

Former Liverpool and Marseille forward Aboubacar Camara has been handed the task of reviving the fortunes of the struggling Guinean national team.

Some of Africa's contenders will go head-to-head this weekend in three of the continent's five South Africa 2010 preliminary groups.

Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu has insisted it is time for his team to excel if they want to maintain their quest for South Africa 2010 qualification.

Asian FIFA World Cup qualifying featured countless tight matches. FIFA.com looks at ten pivotal moments that ultimately shaped the campaign.

Korea DPR coach Kim Jong-Hun heaped praise on his players who withstood the challenge of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh to reach South Africa 2010.