World Debate: Why Argentina Won't Qualify For The World Cup

Believe it or not but it is very likely that Argentina will fail to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Every statement needs to be backed up with proof and evidence, and with not too long left in the South American World Cup qualifiers there is reason to believe that Argentina will miss out.

Argentina currently find themselves in fourth place of the ten-team group, a position that will automatically qualify them for the tournament, but not only is morale low at the moment but Argentina are the team who have the hardest closing schedule of the ten teams.

In Argentina's final four qualifiers they face Brazil (1st place), Paraguay (2nd place), Peru (10th place) and Uruguay (6th place). Apart for the game with Peru, Argentina will clash with three extremely difficult teams who they have struggled against in recent times.

When the qualifiers resume in September Los Albicelestes take on South American group leaders Brazil in Buenos Aires. Not only will they be forced to win by the home fans, but if they lose the game this could secure Brazil qualification for the World Cup. Brazil will be motivated by this, and the strength of their squad suggests Dunga's side will pick up all three points.

Argentina have been on the losing end against Brazil in recent times, and the Selecao, who thrashed them 3-0 in the final of the 2007 Copa America, will come into the showdown as the overwhelming favourites.

Next up are Paraguay, a team Argentina drew 1-1 with in Buenos Aires, and one that has made life very difficult for the Argentines in the past as well. Paraguay could also close in on a World Cup berth with a win, and will surely be excited to do this at home in Asuncion against Argentina.

While Argentina are expected to beat Peru, who they also drew 1-1 with in the first round, their final fixture is against fierce neighbours Uruguay, a team who they traditionally have trouble with. Last time the teams met in a World Cup qualifier in Montevideo Uruguay won 1-0, and the Uruguayans will surely try to inflict another defeat on their River Plate rivals.

From the four matches it would be fair to say that Argentina would pick up between 3-6 points. If they were to obtain this amount of points they could miss out on an automatic World Cup berth. Essentially, Argentina could be facing a two-legged playoff with a team from the CONCACAF region if they end up in fifth place.

In the 1994 World Cup qualifiers this was the case, and Argentina only managed to qualify for the World Cup after beating Australia 2-1 on aggregate in the playoff.

With only 6 wins in 14 qualifiers it is evident that Argentina have struggled. The appointment of Diego Maradona hasn't done them any favours, and not only are they dropping points at will but they are playing horribly. With the abundance of talent in their squad Argentina should be in the top two positions of the World Cup qualifiers, but instead they are fighting just to qualify for the tournament.

Argentina's international superstars like Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano and Sergio Aguero have played well below their potential, and this has affected the team as a whole. Maradona has yet to get the best out of his players.

Times are definitely tough for the Argentina camp, and unless they reverse the situation immediately they could fail to qualify for the World Cup. Such a thing would not only be a major disaster for Argentina but for football in general.

Goal.com asks readers: Will Argentina fail to qualify for the World Cup? What would it mean if Argentina were to miss out on the tournament? Why are Argentina struggling? And finally, was Maradona the wrong choice?

Gregory Sica, Goal.com