10 September 2009, JOHANNESBURG -The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) would like to congratulate Paraguay on becoming the second team from South America to qualify for the FIFA World™ Cup next year.

"Paraguay has been one of the most consistent teams in the qualifiers," said OC CEO Dr Danny Jordaan. "It is no surprise then that they will be travelling to South Africa in June next year for the World Cup."

Paraguay qualified for their fourth consecutive World Cup finals by beating Argentina 1 - 0 at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción, Paraguay on 9 September 2009.

"The people of Paraguay are crazy about football and we look forward to the excitement that the team and their fans will bring to Africa's first World Cup," said Jordaan.

Paraguay which is currently ranked 23rd in the world will make its eighth appearance at the World Cup finals in 2010. Although they have never won the tournament they have enjoyed success at continental level winning the Copa America in 1953 and 1979 and have finished runners up in this tournament on five occasions.

Four CONMEBOL teams qualify automatically for the 2010 FIFA World Cup while the fifth placed team will play a two leg playoff with the fourth placed team from CONCACAF.

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

media@2010oc.com

FIFA.com