Does Brazil automatically qualify for the 2006 world cup?

[7imz]

I was just wondering, does Brazil automatically qualify for the 2006 world cup since they won the last one?

[MrPing1000]

nope they have to qualify which they pretty much have done

[Smiles and Cries]

I think its the HOST country that automatically qualifies

[brooklyngooner]

I think its the HOST country that automatically qualifies

Yes only the host not the defending champ. Dumb rule.

[Manics]

Yes only the host not the defending champ. Dumb rule.

That's just recently changed. The defending champ and host countries used to automatically qualify in past tournaments, however I think with either this WC or the last one, that rule has been changed to only the host country.

[milanbaros]

yeh, they do, very good rule change imo because otherwise the team plays much less competitive football and can enter the tournament lacking practice ie. France. 4 years is too long in sport for a team to be considered unchanged. The only bad point is the chance that the champions may be unable to defend.

[brooklyngooner]

That's just recently changed. The defending champ and host countries used to automatically qualify in past tournaments, however I think with either this WC or the last one, that rule has been changed to only the host country.

I'm well aware of that, thanks.

[Manics]

I'm well aware of that, thanks.

I was just building upon your answer to clarify for the original poster.