don't read it like that at all

the ?holders? place isn?t an ?extra? place, since in most years it won?t exist (the holders are usually one of the top two teams in one of the ?big? leagues). That listing simply determines the priority for which teams from among the entrants go directly to the group stages ? the entrants are derived separately. That doesn?t override the national maximums ? it just means IF the holders are entered they have the right to a direct place. Doesn?t mean they have an automatic right to be entered in the first place. I?m sure the same applies in the World Cup ? the WC holder will be a top seed if they qualify but they aren?t guaranteed qualification.

Posted By: mr carra, May 26, 16:20:31