Should they give the defending champs an automatic berth to the next WC to defend their title?
918309
I asked the same question awhile back and this is the best answer!\n\n\n No, Italy does not qualify and it has to go through the qualifications.\n\nThis is another "pearl" of the INCOMPETENT and BIASED person called Sepp Blatter. I have already express my disgust about this individual, his arrogance and his contorted vision of the game. Under his presidency, he has damaged the image of soccer like no one else have done before.\nAfter the Korea-Japan 2002 World Cup, he decided that the World Cup winner has to go through qualification (Brasil won in 2002). In all the other World Cup edition, the winner was automatically qualified (16 editions): as explained before, he is very much biased against Brasil and Italy... and he does everithing is in his power to damage those two nations. Yet, Brasil won in 2002 and Italy in 2006. I guess he (and his pal Platini) is a big "rosicone" too.
997329
I think you'd have to assume so, though I haven't heard it mentioned specifically.  How can they be in Champion's when they are no longer champions, and even moreso, when they may be relegated?
1079276
I take it you mean football? it all depends on which other teams they play against, they could play against so called lowly sides such as those from Eastern Europe or the Middle East, romp home with emphatic victories which would boost their global ranking, if they played the likes of Brazil and France etc... they would end up more like 100th in the world!
1038039
No, they’re not good enough. Even before the game with Paraguay I felt they don’t have that extra thing that can make them a world champion, and the game only confirmed me. But let’s wait and see how they will play against stronger teams.
565392
I wish they would. It would be good for baseball. However, they need to win their division or be the wild card before they can compete for the right to play in the World Series. Both are highly unlikely in the next three years. They just do not have the talent/
467512
The only way they could have playoffs is with 2 automatic places in The Champions League for the winner and the runner up. They could do like the Coca Cola Leagues and have 4 teams below them fighting for 2 additional places, with the two winners playing in The Champions League and the two losers playing in the UEFA Cup. This could work, but it is UEFA who are the govening body of European competitions and so it would be upto them to introduce the changes. I think it would be more exciting, but would be unfair on a team who finished third and then ends up with a sixth placed UEFA cup place after losing because of one/two matches being taken into consideration over two days instead of over a whole season as it stands now. A team could finish 3rd with 80 points, draw the first leg of the play offs, get a couple of key players injured and lose the 2nd leg. Thus they would drop down into a lower competition. A team who finished 3 places behind them on only 60 points could have a good day beat them and be promoted into the higher competition. Doesn't seem fair does it? That is why it is a Premier League and not a Premier Cup competition. With all that said though, it still happens in the leagues below.
1112458
no.  why should it.  World Cup team won't go that far, there is no interest in it professionally here, and there is too much competition for the sports person's attention between football, baseball, basketball, NASCAR, hockey, golf, tennis, etc.\n\nSoccer is a distant thought for most people.
1038044
No,If they are good,they will qualified fir world cup.
1023568
I care.  I think the U.S. has a good chance to advance.  They're experienced, in contrast to the typical U.S. team...and confident, with quality international talent at nearly every position.  I hope they play good matches....win at least one and tie another...give themselves a chance.
825537
Yes, because they play as a TEAM.\n\nNo, because they have no one to go to in crunch-time.
1106448
Countries have to bid to host the world cup, like cities do with the Olympics.  As far as I know the only future WC set for now is South Africa 2010.
10833
AFAIK, it is too early to know that yet. Usually, world cup qualification system is defined after the world cup, so probably it will be set in a year or so. Rumors are that the South American group won't follow the "league" format they had until the past qualification leg (rumors say that they will be splitted in 2 groups), so it is very likely that the Oceanian zone will change their playoff format... and I would say as well that don't expect a direct spot to the WC finals, more likely the playoff format will stay, and don't be surprised if actually they have to play an additional one...
1078659
It depends on the team that comes out on the field for every match, they have just as much chance as any of the favorites and remember they eliminated England in the European competition in 2004, so why not all the way.
424369
Yeah buddy! Since they are in the "Group of Death," a 1-1-1 team will advance, so, if they loose to czech, tie italy, then beat ghana, they advanced.  Once they get past that, everyone will be amazed...again...and then they got the next round, knowing u.s.'s past, they will play mexico, or someone near us.  We can beat all teams near us, they advance to quarter finals, same as last time, if we get past that, we have set a record for us in the world cup, that will give us confidence in the semi final, and that confidence will send us to the finals
442723
Simple: any country who won the eliminatory matches deserves to be in the WC. If USA is not, I guess you weren’t so good.
487332
At least one team is allowed to access directly to CL.\n\nMaybe there are some EU countries which Champ team would have to preliminary qualifying games (2nd or 3rd game)... and if they and loose they're out.
1130481
I think that they might not win the world cup, but they will make it to the second round, i hope so. because they deserve it, and they worked hard for it.