QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Jun 13, 2012 -> 10:38 AM)
Why not just have a true global WC qualification?
209 teams in FIFA. Host automatically qualifies, reinstate automatic qualification for defending champion. 207 teams qualifying for 30 spots.
First round - Teams ranked 33-207 are drawn into 43 groups of four plus 1 group of three. Top two teams in each group (88 teams total) advance to second round.
Second round - Teams ranked 1-32 along with teams advancing from first round are drawn into 30 groups of four. Top two teams in each group (60 teams total) advance to final round.
Final round - Teams advancing from second round are drawn into 15 groups of four. Top two teams in each group qualify.
That's not bad, although the travel could become a big pain in the ass. If you have a group with Indonesia, Honduras, Norway, & Ghana, you have teams travelling across the whole world for one game. That would lead to some interesting culture clashes as well.