I can't imagine a world cup with the absence of some big names in world football,,,the likes of Argentina's Angel Di'Maria,,, Portugal's Cristiano RONALDO,, Argentine's Leo MESSI Brazilians Marcelo,,French's Karim BENZEMA,, Polish Robert Lewandoski,, Uruguay's Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani,, German's Manuel Nuer,, and so many others that will be calling it an end to thier international careers they will be missed but the good thing is that upcoming stars are always available to replace them and that will be advantage to the different national teams that will be affected.. but surely they will be missed... It's gonna be an interesting world cup because this players that might be playing their last world'cup will want to call it an end to their international career with at least a successful world cup outing..
Your statement looks especially interesting against the background of the fact that there will be no reigning European champions, the Italian team, at this World Cup.
By the way, today Roberto Baggio spoke on this topic, saying that such a format is insane and the European champion should automatically qualify for the World Championship. I tend to agree with him, there is 100 percent logic in this.
I agree that the European champion and other continents champions should directly go to world championship, but at the same time do we really want a team that was good enough to win Europe, but then became not so good and just be there for everyone to beat them?
I want them to fight for it and earn it, otherwise what is the point of it? This is why I both agree and disagree, I agree that one achievement should be rewarded, but I think maybe something other than entry to WC right away? Maybe something else, like maybe easier path to WC? Or better things for next Europe one? I do not know, but direct entry to WC shouldn't be it, because one team could get worse between Europe win to WC entry.