However , since the 2006 tournament , defending champions , according to changes made in FIFA guidelines , have been made to participate in the qualifying matches .
By default , the country that hosts the World Cup tournament will automatically qualify to the same .
Since the 2006 tournament , defending champions , according to changes made in FIFA guidelines , have been made to participate in the qualifying matches .
By default , the country that hosts the World Cup tournament will automatically qualify to the same .