|
Background |
The World Cup Preliminary draw for the qualification groups was
held at Casablanca, Morocco
on 31 January 1968. England,
as defending champions, were placed in group nine, and host nation Mexico,
placed in group fourteen, qualified automatically for
the final tournament.
"ENGLAND NOT TO
QUALIFY FOR WORLD CUP.
"England, holders of the World Cup, will not
have to qualify for the next tournament in Mexico in 1970, Sir Stanley
Rous, president of the International Football Federation (F.I.F.A.), said
yesterday in London. They will, therefore, be exempt until the final
stages along with Mexico, the host country. A special technical study
group of F.I.F.A. recently suggested that the host country should be
exempt from preliminary competitions but that the winners should not have
open entry to the final competition. Sir Stanley said:-"The organising
committee of F.I.F.A. discussed the matter last November and agreed that
the 1970 World Cup should be organised basically on the same formula as in
England last year with the holders and hosts automatically qualifying.
This decision is subject to the sanction of the F.I.F.A. Congress." He
added that England would probably-as World Cup holders-play at
Guadalajara, which is lower in altitude than Mexico City."
- Friday, 31 March 1967
A record 75 teams entered, and 70 took
part. |
|
|
Group Nine |
|
Team |
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
GD
|
Pts
|
|
England |
qualified as World Champions |
|
|
 |
|
England
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