The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) would like to congratulate Australia's Socceroos on their qualification for next year's 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Australia qualified after a goalless draw against Qatar in Doha tonight in an Asian 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying match for an unassailable position in Group 1 for one of the two 2010 qualifying spots up for grabs in the group.

"We would like to congratulate Australia for qualifying for Africa's first FIFA World Cup at South Africa 2010. After doing extremely well in Germany 2006, the Socceroos have now qualified for back-to-back FIFA World Cups and we look forward to welcoming them to our country next year. Australian sporting teams and fans are familiar visitors to South African shores, as our countries have strong sporting links and we regularly host touring Australian rugby and cricket national and provincial teams. We've had the Aussies in South Africa for rugby and cricket World Cups before, but to have the Socceroos here next June for the FIFA World Cup will be very special," said the OC's Chief Executive Officer Dr Danny Jordaan.

As Australia's qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup looked more and more certain, Australian fans have been snapping up tickets for next year's tournament. Australian residents have already successfully applied for 27 139 tickets for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in the first ticketing sales phase for the tournament.

"In terms of ticketing sales, I am sure Australia will have even more fans in South Africa than the large numbers which travelled to Germany. There are also a high number of expatriate South Africans living in Australia, many of whom will surely use the opportunity to come home. They will have two teams to follow next year. So for us, coupled with Japan's qualification for the tournament earlier today, we're delighted that two teams likely to come with a large number of travelling fans have made it to South Africa 2010 and we can't wait to welcome them," said Jordaan.

*Issued by the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) Communications Division

For further information please contact: OC Chief of Communications, Rich Mkhondo, E-mail: rich.mkhondo@2010oc.com, Mobile: +27832010254

OC Media Manager, Jermaine Craig, E-mail: jermaine.craig@2010oc.com, Mobile: +27832010121

OC Content Coordinator, Marisa Berndsen, E-mail: marisa.berndsen@2010oc.com, Mobile: +27832010225

www.FIFA.com