1999 is the first World Cup I really remember, though no doubt I watched 1992 and 1996 (funny that I don't really recall 1996, because the heartbreak of the 1995 Rugby World Cup's final is still all too real for me today). Inte's right about 2003 being farcical, though I still enjoyed it at the time - New Zealand's early elimination via forfeiture notwithstanding. I can't say the same about 2007; perhaps the worst sporting tournament I have ever followed. It's either that or the 2010 Commonwealth Games anyway.
Not sure how I feel about 2015 being cut to ten teams, and I see the associate countries are livid. As they should be! They just are not getting any game time against good opposition; the World Cup is the only place, even though they get hammered. If they at least got some consistent gametime beyond the World Cup, they may be more competitive at Cup time! Bangladesh proves this point. Kenya, Ireland, Holland, and Canada aren't going to get any better if they just keep playing each other.
We need some regular tournaments, like how the rugby has the Six Nations and Tri-Nations; notice how much better Italy has become ever since it was admitted to the former. Why not a triangular Ireland/England/Netherlands tournament? South Africa/Zimbabwe/Kenya would be even more competitive. At the very least, get the minnows playing Bangladesh and New Zealand more often! The minnows could hold their own against them. And to be honest, if Australia had a series against a minnow country, they could field a "lesser" team of young talent that desperately needs to come through and replace the dead wood of the present team in all its fading glory.
/rant
I was 13, it was my first world cup, it was on during early hours of the morning, it was back when I loved Australia being successful... what can I say good memories.
