Argentina and France must be in World Cup, says Torres

The 2010 World Cup will suffer if Argentina, France and Portugal fail to qualify, Liverpool’s Spanish international striker Fernando Torres said on Monday.

“A World Cup without Argentina, France or Portugal would not be the same. I would like them all to take part,” the 25-year-old told a news conference two days after Spain beat Belgium 5-0 in a qualifier in La Coruna.

“We also struggled to qualify for the 2008 Euro finals and then we won the tournament,” he added.

“National squads change from one day to the other depending on the status of their players. They can go through a bad moment now and in the summer be one of the favourites.”

Spain have a flawless seven wins at the top of Group 5, six points ahead of second-placed Bosnia Herzegovina, who won 2-0 at Armenia.

If Spain beat Estonia in Merida on Wednesday and Bosnia fail to beat Turkey they will qualify for the World Cup finals with two games to spare.

France, who finished second during the 2006 World Cup, drew 1-1 against Romania at home on Saturday and will scramble to make the final in South Africa next year if they lose against Serbia on Wednesday.

Argentina coach Diego Maradona, meanwhile, has admitted that it will be tough for his side to ensure World Cup qualification following Saturday’s 3-1 home loss to rivals Brazil, their first home qualifier loss in 16 years.

Portugal, who were semi-finalists in 2006, slumped to fourth place in Group One following their 1-1 draw against leaders Denmark on Saturday.