I think even if it's 32 teams playing if a smaller country makes it to the world cup that's a great achievement. Even more so than just been handed a place for finishing say 3rd out of a group of 4 or what ever. How does a country improve there game if its to easy to make it the passion and desire will be gone from it and in my view cheapens the competition. There have always been underdogs that have made it to the world cup. You always get a great story now and then