Two of the biggest football nations in the world are struggling to make ground in terms of qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup next summer. Both Portugal and Argentina, both archenemies to England, are failing to get into a good position in their qualification groups as the number of games left is running out.

England fans will be more than happy if this means that they do not have to play against either Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal or Lionel Messi of Argentina. Obviously you want the best players to be playing at the World Cup but unless both of these teams improve very quickly then they could miss out and create similar headlines to the ones that emerged when England did not qualify for Euro 2008.

Portugal coach, Carlos Queiroz, said: “As long as it remains mathematically possible, we will believe.”

Belief is important in football but the 1-1 draw against Denmark last weekend was a sign of Portugal’s lack of quality. Despite the fact that Ronaldo and a whole host of other high profile names played in that match, they could not break down the team that they are behind in group one by seven points.

Denmark looked a well organised and solid side and Portugal at times were lost and had no ideas.

As for Argentina, Diego Maradona, said: “There’s no cause for alarm.”

This is very hard to believe. Argentina are struggling to hold onto a play-off position at current and if results do not go their way in the next qualifying round of matches then it could see their chances of making South Africa all but over, which will be met by huge cheers from every fan in England.

What will make all of this news much more enjoyable to England fans is the fact that Maradona and Ronaldo are both hate figures in the country. Players such as Messi are universally respected for their non-egotistical style of play and the quality they always have. However, many still hate Maradona for the ‘Hand of God’ and pretty much every thing under the sun has been said about Ronaldo.

The point is that both teams are still in with a good chance of qualifying and until it is mathematically impossible, neither must be disregarded. Ironically England fans would probaby tell you they’d rather beat Portugal or Argentina at a late stage of the competiton as opposed to them not actually being there in the first place.