Gnu,
The top four teams from the previous World Cup go in automatically, and there are playoffs among the other 100 or so nations to see who will make up the other 16.

In the southern hemisphere, we have the Tri-Nations series between Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

In the north, they have the Six Nations - England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Italy.

There is an Asian Cup - Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, etc.

I think there is a South American competition, and there is fierce rivalry between the Yanks and Canada.

Then you get down to club and provincial level ...........


Oscar Wilde is the one who said "Football is all very well for rough girls, but not for delicate boys." He must have foreseen the women's team at my club. I'm scared of some of them.