[jdl22]

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this whole system is weird. how has Togo qualified, but not the Czech's or Spain?

at the same time, there are probably too many spots given to European teams.

I know it's practical, but I don't think geography should play a role in team selection. it's kind of like the ACC and Big East being given 7 teams in the NCAA tourney, regardless of how good those teams are, and smaller conferences granted 1 and 1 only team.

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It is very important that the world cup be a worldwide evenet. As such all regions need to get solid representation. Not unlike the first weekend of the NCAA tournament, part of the fun is the upsets. Having Senegal beat France last WC was big for instance.

Tiny countries like Togo being able to make it is necesary and good in the end. A team with any sort of reasonable shot at winning will still qualify. I think they need to tweak the number of qualifying teams perhaps but it still should be the case that countries like Togo qualify.

Also, most likely both the Czech Republic and Spain will qualify. As I pointed out in the OP they are playing today in the second leg of a home and home series and are ahead going into today. Spain is pretty much a lock, they would have to lose 4-0 or if they score they would have to lose by 5 goals to not go through. While the Spanish are amazing choke artists in international competitions this is beyond even them. The Czech republic won the first leg away 0-1 so they just need to draw at home against Norway, a national team with a reputation for being very solid in defense but not very good at creating scoring chances.