FIFA World Cup Qualifying Draw

Since I am American and have little to look forward to in terms of international competition over the next few years, here is a recap of the recent qualifying draw for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil:

Brazilian legend Ronaldo displaying an unfavorable fortune cookie message

African Zone Draw 

Group A: South Africa, Botswana, Central African Republic, Somalia or Ethiopia 

Group B: Tunisia, Cape Verde Islands, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea or Madagascar
Group C: Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Gambia, Chad or Tanzania
Group D: Ghana, Zambia, Sudan, Lesotho or Burundi
Group E: Burkina Faso, Gabon, Niger, Sao Tome e Principe or Congo
Group F: Nigeria, Malawi, Seychelles or Kenya, Djibouti or Namibia
Group G: Egypt, Guinea, Zimbabwe, Comoros or Mozambique
Group H: Algeria, Mali, Benin, Eritrea or Rwanda
Group I: Cameroon, Libya, Guinea-Bissau or Togo, Swaziland or Congo DR
Group J: Senegal, Uganda, Angola, Mauritius or Liberia

Asian Zone Draw 

Group A: China, Jordan, Iraq, Singapore
Group B: Korea Republic, Kuwait, UAE, Lebanon
Group C: Japan, Uzbekistan, Syria, Korea DPR
Group D: Australia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Thailand
Group E: Iran, Qatar, Bahrain, Indonesia

North, Central America and the Caribbean Zone Draw (Round Two) 

Group A: El Salvador, Surinam, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic
Group B: Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Barbados, Bermuda
Group C: Panama, Dominica, Nicaragua, Bahamas
Group D: Canada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico, St Lucia
Group E: Grenada, Guatemala, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize
Group F: Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda, Curacao, US Virgin Islands

North, Central America and the Caribbean Zone Draw (Round Three) 

Group A: USA, Jamaica, Winner of R2 Grp E, Winner of R2 Grp F
Group B: Mexico, Costa Rica, Winner of R2 Grp A, Winner of R2 Grp B
Group C: Honduras, Cuba, Winner of R2 Grp D, Winner of R2 Grp C

Oceanian Zone Draw

Group A: Vanuatu, New Caledonia, American Samoa/Cook Islands/Samoa or Tonga, Tahiti
Group B: Fiji, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea

European Zone Draw 

Group A: Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Scotland, Macedonia, Wales
Group B: Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia, Malta.
Group C: Germany, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, Austria, Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan.
Group D: Netherlands, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Estonia, Andorra.
Group E: Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Albania, Cyprus, Iceland.
Group F: Portugal, Russia, Israel, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg
Group G: Greece, Slovakia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lithuania, Latvia, Lichtenstein
Group H: England, Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, San Marino
Group I: Spain, France, Belarus, Georgia, Finland

Intercontinental play-offs
Asia – South America
North, Central America and the Caribbean - Oceania

Source: FIFA

More in depth reviews to come, with the possibility of some outside commentary. Stay tuned, amici.

This Week's Props Go To...

Ronaldo

Arguably the best player of our generation, the famous gap-toothed Brazilian hung up his boots earlier this week. El Fenomeno tearfully withdrew from the game in a press conference on Monday, where he spoke about his illustrious career and unfortunate illness. Sensible Soccer salutes you, Ronaldo, for a glittering career filled with triumph and trophies. 

Jose Mourinho

Undisputedly one of the best managers in the world, Mr. Mourinho celebrates 9 years of being undefeated during home fixtures. This record spans 147 league games with 4 different teams in 4 different leagues. The Special One's last loss at home was on Februray 23, 2002. Wow! 

Ryan Giggs

At age 37, the Welsh Wizard signed a contract extension that keeps him at Old Trafford until the end of next year. Sensible Soccer finds it unbelievable that Giggs can still compete at the highest level at his age. Props to you, Giggsy!

Arsenal

Arsenal deserve all the credit in the world after their hard-fought comeback victory against Barcelona. When push came to shove in the vital Champions League knockout clash, the Gunners shoved hard, shocking the Spanish leaders at the Emirates. I for one, did not foresee this victory. Keep up the good work, lads!

Harry Redknapp

The Tottenham gaffer's tactical approach to the Milan game was nothing short of genius! Unlike the Spurs loose, attacking style in the groups stages, Redknapp had his men strategic in attack - work the flanks and find Peter Crouch's head - and tight in defense. These motives paid dividends, as Tottenham stormed out of Milan with a lead. Check out Zonal Marking's analysis for more tactical information.