egafd.com

someone settle a pub argument tonite caused by the Liverpool cup babble
I'm positive that up until France 98 the world cup holders didn't have to qualify for the next one, my mate says no they always had to qualify, any ideas?

World Cup holders qualified by right, without a doubt.

Only 2 countries qualify for next years World Cup, thats current holders and Host nation.
There is to be a change soon whereas host and holders must qualify

>World Cup holders qualified by right, without a doubt.

But not any more.

Brazil (last winners) are having to qualify for the 2006 world
cup.

It was felt that automatic qualification put the holders at a
disadvantage.

Because they have two years of friendlies and dont play a
competative match until they get to the finals.

Which explains why England had such troubles in the 1970s. Qualifying as hosts in 1966 and as holders in 1970 left them unused to the rigours of the system. Wish we'd missed the 1978 World Cup as well, though ((

Guilbert is correct, Brazil have to qualify, and getting beat by Argentina this week couldn't have installed much confidence.
I thought it was the NEXT World cup where holders and host qualify

cheers all, that just won me a pint