They aren't really there on merit though, they beat other teams, but how many qualified in groups with previous world Cup winners, or recent post group stage teams, very few, none of the African nations, nor asian teams actually had to beat anyone great to get into the world cup. It's not like beating the philipines and New Zealand somehow puts you on the same level as Brazil or even England. There are easy games and some pretty poor teams in the world cup, just not as poor as others, none of these teams are as bad as a San Marino obviously, but some aren't very far ahead, they just qualified in a group with 8 other San Marino type sides.
Not quite sure how England got such a stupidly easy group, only downside is spanking some no hoper side 6-0 and seeing the entire country go mad thinking they'll win it... again.
Looks like none of the African sides have an easy group, Ivory Coast and Ghana have the best chance, if Portugal keep playing like crap and Serbia aren't bad, they aren't great though.
I always forget which is which though, is it Uruguay or Paraguay who are pretty damn good and often cause a few upsets in that south american group against Brazil/Argentina?