Because no African or asian teams would make the world cup.

Ever.

Not because the europeon nations are "better" or care more but because the europeon nations are RICHER and can waste more time and money developing world class atheletes.

Sure in countries like the US the teams aren't as good because the best atheltes go to other sports...

but for nations like africa.  It's that they can't afford the massive amount of time effort and money it takes to cultivate world class atheletes and squads.

They have a few world class stars... however very few because they have much less resources.

What you think it's just a miracle that richer nations have more world class players?

How do I justify the rest of the qualifications?  Simple.  You've got to play by the same rules.

World Cup Qualfiers are done this way so the poorer nations aren't shut out.  To only have some done regionally and others not would be inconsistant.

It is.  Afterall world cup bids do amazing things for poor nations... and just being there is HUGE for them.

Or have you already forgotten the story of Ivory Coast?

They actually put a ceasefire on their civil war during the world cup because their team made it.

Now that is devotion to the game.

I don't think worldwide qualifiers are a good idea but Europe really does need mopre places. There's a lot of Eastern European teams that are emerging as great footballing nations like Russia, Croatia and Turkey (best fans in the world -for any sport- bar none) and 13 places just isn't enough.

The real reason (here comes the conspiracy theory) so many places go to weaker nations around the world is that Blatter is pandering to their football association so he stays in his job. And the real reason for this seeding is, of course, money. They need Ronaldo there and they need interest from the big countries' fans.

Long story short, it's bullshit.

agreed, the guy is a twat, the sooner he goes, the better

I will certainly not agree here. The Dutch have the best fans, winning a lot of recognition even from the organisers for their support, massive festivities and including as many people as possible on their parties. The Dutch generally win "trophies" for having the best 12th man...

bah, youve never seen me watching a match clearly, im more passionate than anyone

It's better then the alternative.  One nation getting in easy is a much better penalty then most nations shut out forever.

Which seems to be your main problem.  You're just angry the US has it easy for a sport in which most people don't even care about.

Which sucks... but as stated is much better then the alternative.  Where world cup = "Europe, Argentina, Brazil and America most years."

Not exactly very "worldly".

POrtugals chances are slim. They are two points behind the number 2 in their group, and still have to face Hungary home (and Malta, home). They need two wins, and outside favours from Finland and Denmark.

They might still be picked but that will depend on the FIFA deciding it through some artbitrary counting-system.

And yes, I want to see Ronaldo cry like a little bitch. It's not that I'm jealous, I just still resent Portugal over Euro 2004 and WC 2006. And Ronaldo just needs to be taken down a few pegs.

There should just be more teams on the WC.