In all fairness, this is the first year the defending champion does not automatically qualify. France (defending champs from 2002 did automatically qualify for Korea/Japan). I think it is a good thing since so much can change over a four year period.
However, the host country must always have an automatic bid. If the interesting scenario occured that the defending champion happened to be the next host, well, you have to give them the free pass.
![[Smile]](images/icons/smile.gif){kind=icon}
The champion of the World cup does not qualify directly anymore, they have to qualify(that is why Brazil is playing in the S. American Qualifiers)
