Quote:
Originally Posted by ricoFlame
i thought that FIFA did away with the host country automatic qualifier for the world cup, at least it was discussed by FIFA in the last few years. i thought that the japan/korea was the last world cup to include the host.
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it was discussed... but to my knowledge, they opted to keep it. Germany did not have to qualify for 2006... but judging by their standing and talent, that really wasn't a big deal. The rationale seems to be a business one... that attendance would not be as good if the hosts were not there. They just have to make sure that hosts could qualify if they had to. Typically, the hosts could make it on their own, for example the recent hosts, Mexico, Italy, USA, France and Germany are World Cup regulars... and arguably Korea and Japan are too, if only cause of the relative ease of their confederation.
South Africa is the first host since the 1950s that is not a world cup regular and may not have been able to qualify on their own.