Up until a decade ago the defending champions received an automatic berth in the following FIFA World Cup, but that rule was changed for Germany 2006, with 2002 winners Brazil having to go through qualifying.
Casillas said: 'Obviously it's strange and difficult to grasp that the world champions do not have a ticket for Brazil, but that's what's been decided, they've preferred that the champions have to qualify.
'It's true that what could happen is that we don't get to the World Cup and it would be strange not to see the champions defend their title, but we're going to think positively and think that we will be there.
'We have to start on the right foot. It would be very important to pick up two victories, against Georgia now and Belarus in October, before hosting France.'
Sept. 11, 2012.
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