The African (CAF) Qualification competition will start in October 2007

There will be a preliminary round when there will be five home and away matches between the lowest ranked countries in the FIFA July 2007 listing. This will reduce the entry into the main competition from 53 to 48 with the winners of each head to head match progressing

These 48 countries will be split into twelve groups of four. The group winners and the eight best second placed countries will then be grouped into five groups of four with the winners going into the World Cup finals

Since this competition doubles up as the qualification tournament for the 2010 African Nations Cup, South Africa will be taking part.

However as hosts of the World Cup Finals the second placed team in South Africas group should they win it, will progress into the finals.