[sunshine4ever]

I'm a newbie to this World Cup thing..I did watch it when I was little, but I didn't watch it the last World Cup and I was wondering why China, Taiwan, or even Canada is not in it? Are they picking out countries or do they only let the rich countries participate? What's the preferences for joining the World Cup?

[crackednut]

they have to win points in qualifying matches/preliminary matches in their respective area zones (african, asian, european, etc)
its done the same way (I think it was) as the WC

theres a section on the WC official site (in the tournament section) with stats on how the prelims went

[sunshine4ever]

wow, really? so US did win or something? awww, that's awesome! lol

[autuymnrain]

wow, really? so US did win or something? awww, that's awesome! lol

yepyep. but we're out now, but its ok, 2010

[sunshine4ever]

yepyep. but we're out now, but its ok, 2010

no cuz the person just said they had to battle at their region before they can join world cup...i was wondering if us did win too in order to join?

[Epitaph]

i'm surprise china didn't make it. They usually heck of into big events such as this

[Aziraphale]

no cuz the person just said they had to battle at their region before they can join world cup...i was wondering if us did win too in order to join?

Teams are grouped according to continental zones: Africa, Asia, Europe, N./C. America & Caribbean, Oceania, S. America. Teams are further divided into groups within their respective zones, with the hosts being guaranteed a spot at the finals.

This tournament has 32 teams, which means the breakdown is thus:

Europe 14 (including Germany)
Africa 5
Asia 4.5
South America 4.5
North/Central Americans/Caribbean 3.5
Oceania 0.5

The 0.5 spot means the winner of the Oceania region will play-off against the 5th-placed team of the South American region (hence S America 4.5). The 4th-placed team from the N American zone will play-off with the 5th-placed team from Asia.

Europe has 8 groups, meaning the group winners and two best 2nd-placed teams qualify.

For those wondering about the USA: they finished top of their group to qualify.

[MeLLa]

yeah..I was wondering how the US qualified...?

[wyen]

yeah..I was wondering how the US qualified...?

There's a thing called bribery

[ahyoung]

yea;; they have to make their way in;;
only like 4 asian countries this year - korea, japan, saudi arabia, iran

[sunshine4ever]

yea;; they have to make their way in;;
only like 4 asian countries this year - korea, japan, saudi arabia, iran

What? Saudi Arabia and Iran are not part of Asia

[ddonq]

What? Saudi Arabia and Iran are not part of Asia

yes, they are asians.

[Hunnytokki]

What? Saudi Arabia and Iran are not part of Asia

lol

[말라카]

why does europe have so many spots and asia only have 4.5?

[supa'Wanki]

why does europe have so many spots and asia only have 4.5?

look how many countries are in Europe, and look how many countries are in Asia.

[lost_kim]

yeah..I was wondering how the US qualified...?

US just has to play with canada and some central american and some of the caribbean countries... so there isn't lot's of competition there to qualify... they play mexico, canada, honduras and costa rica and trinidad and tobago and el salvador... (just to mention a few) and from there only mexico, canada, and let's say costa rica are really hard teams, while the rest are not as good...

[thaigerl]

yes, they are asians.

Not everybody considers Saudis and the Middle East region to be Asians. They may be closer regionally to the Far East rather considered West Asia in some cases. Anyway, I don't consider them Asians and that's personal opinion anyway and I'm not going to get into all that geography stuff.

[aurora.]

Yeah there's only so many teams that can be in the WC so you have to qualify from your group. Qualifiers for Euro 2008 will be starting soon

[eelijnim]

I'm a newbie to this World Cup thing..I did watch it when I was little, but I didn't watch it the last World Cup and I was wondering why China, Taiwan, or even Canada is not in it? Are they picking out countries or do they only let the rich countries participate? What's the preferences for joining the World Cup?

because they dont qualify. basically theyre not good enough..
other countries beat them. i think china made the top 32 in 2002 though.

What? Saudi Arabia and Iran are not part of Asia

they are part of the asian soccer league (i forget the professional name)

[plusone]

because they dont qualify. basically theyre not good enough..
other countries beat them. i think china made the top 32 in 2002 though.

they didnt i think