I want to see the World Cup expanded to at least 40 teams by 2014, so as to allow for more african nations?
608070
No 40 is too many, 36 might be the maximum with Asia and Africa getting 2 each and the Pacific region getting a play-off with another European team
423847
32 national teams\n\n1-Germany (host)\n2-Poland\n3-England\n4-Sweeden\n5-Serbia and Montenegro\n6-Netherland\n7-Portogual\n8-Italy\n9-Czech Republic\n10-Croatia\n11-France\n12-Switzerland\n13-Spain\n14-Ukraine\n15-Ecuador\n16-Paraguay\n17-Argentina\n18-Brazil\n19-U.S.A\n20-Costa Rica\n21-Mexico\n22-Trindad and Tobago\n23-Saudi Arabia\n24-Iran\n25-Japan\n26-Korea Republic\n27-Tunisia\n28-Côte d'Ivoire\n29-Ghana\n30-Togo\n31-Angola\n32-Australia
336363
only south africa because the other countries have to play in the different confedertions one against others to know which are the qualifyed teams. In Europe there are different groups and the winner of each group clasify to the world cup. The better seconds of the groups play additional matches to know which will qualify. you can check fifa.com
324425
I am glad that South Africa is hosting the 2010 World Cup.  But I take it with a grain of salt.  I think FIFA wants an African host, but doesn't have the confidence in most African nations to be capable of hosting such a large international event.  It is unfortunate because of all the great soccer nations in Africa, South Africa is not on the top of my list.
567422
17 tournaments.\n\nThis year's World Cup in Germany will be the 18th in its history.
1039822
Unluckily for me, i am from Africa, Nigeria to be precise and i didn't get the opportunity to buy a single ticket. But i am not worried, it is coming to Africa in 2010 in South Africa, and that would be my opportunity to see the world cup live. Enjoy the competition, and the thrill, maybe send me a live picture if you get to take one.
1147985
Ummm..........yes............very big continent and it is the "World" Cup after all - also the standard in Asia is improving all the time.  FIFA would not be able to encourage Asian countries to invest in the sport if they limited places to them - the total number of football players in Asia @ 34,708,100 is not far short of those playing in Europe (35,783,000) so the interest is  just as passionate there - Asian fans love football just as much as us Europeans so why should they not have the same opportunities to see their team qualify.
662064
Africa has not had the $$$$ until South Africa  has decided to invest in2010. Apparently they are way behind schedule. The Middle East would be more for security reasons. Countries that awarded the cup usually already have several big stadiums. This is because of their existing leagues. Those regions do not have major leagues. They would need to build state of the art stadiums. However this is the area FIFA would like to grow in.
484975
South Africa in 2010.  They beat out Morocco to win the right to be the first African country to host a World Cup.\n\nIn 2014, it goes to South America, to a yet-to-be-determined country.\n\nEvery 4 years from here on out, it rotates continents.  I think it is scheduled for North America again (and possibly a return to the USA) in 2018.
336154
32. it was 32 since 1998. Before that it was 24. the first world cup had just 13 teams.
557826
No.  Best chance for Africa is 2010 when it is hosted in South Africa.  Most of the African teams that are in the Tourny this year are new to the World Cup.
865930
Yes, that would probably make it more exciting than it already is!! \nMany good teams have not won the world cup, they need the opportunity to shine!
532729
the  world cup is nothing like the world series, 32 teams from all over the globe have been through tough qualifying groups (5-10 teams in each) and have been playing these games for nearly 2 years to qualify for the tournament...these teams are now in 8 groups of 4 teams and will play each team in its group and the top 2 teams in each group go through to the next round ( knock-out stages) then the quarter finals, semi finals, and final this competition is only every 4 years, it all begins on the 9th of june and the smart money is on Brazil to win again, but Germany, Italy,England, argentina, Spain ,Holland or one of the African teams could do it...I hope you enjoy the tournament, it is the best competition in the world !!!
117491
It is unlikely that any of these teams will advance out of the first round.  It is unfortunate, because I love the passion, creativity, and energy they bring to the game.  African soccer continues to progress, and they will have a better chance in the future.
1180354
I love your question. I've asked myself this ? too. As I thought about it I came with another ?. What other game on earth could reunite all the world together in one country every 4 years other than the World Cup? when they do It every 4 years it becomes a dream for everyone in the world to be there. And it's where you can see the best of a player. \nThat's why it's a must for me to be there in 2010. That's my dream
991179
32 nations qualify, with only the host guaranteed to qualify.  FIFA determines the number of qualifying spots for each confederation (for 2006, it was 14 [with the host] for Europe, 4 for South America, 3 for North America, 4 for Asia, and 5 for Africa, with 1 spot contested between the Oceania winner and the 5th South American team, and another contested between the 4th North American team and the fifth Asian team).\n\nEach confederation has a different procedure for qualifying, in terms of how many rounds are played, etc.  South America has one group where all 10 countries play each other twice.  Europe divides into eight groups, with each group winner and the top 2 second place teams qualified, while the other 6 second place teams paired off in home-and-home playoffs to determine the other 3 spots.  Africa had head-to-head playoffs to get down to 30, then had 5 groups of 6, with the winners qualifying.  Asia and North America had several stages of qualifying.
1013619
The World Cup isn't the Olympics, which is hosted by a single city.\nThe World Cup is awarded to a country, who should have around 6 or more stadia.\nThe major cities in that country will host games.\n\nSouth Africa will host the 2010 tournament. Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban are likely to be among the cities, where matches will be played.