31 Jul 2011

Central or North Americans stand in the way of the All Whites

9:46 am on 31 July 2011

The All Whites will face North or Central American opposition for a place at the 2014 football World Cup in Brazil - if, as expected, the New Zealanders take the top spot in the Oceania qualifiers next year.

The draw's been made in Rio de Janeiro in front of a star-studded audience including Brazil legend Pele, with Oceania's winner to play the fourth best team from CONCACAF - the North and Central American and Caribbean federation.

Drawing the last CONCACAF qualifier means the All Whites escaped a tough ask against the last South American qualifier or the last Asian qualifier.

Last World Cup the All Whites beat Asian nation Bahrain in the two-legged inter-continental playoff to book their place in South Africa.