I wouldn't bet on it, although sure it's possible. Part of the online event was them talking about how they decided on those 8.
In the in-game forums, Piros 4 Ever (is there any better name than that? I don't think so. I think the whole game should be called that.) complains about how they didn't choose him to be in Versus The World, and Natsume responds that she doesn't care because there are sooooo many Kites to choose from. So, at least Natsume appreciates the bizarrely redundant lineup.
It's so weird when you consider that most of the returning characters have been playing The World for 19 years (the official release of Versus is planned for the 20th anniversary), but I guess it makes sense that a beta test would only be filled with hardcore fans.
EDIT:
hidora wrote:Btw, does someone call him butt-rice? =P
Yes, actually. A lot.
Also Iyoten and Asta keep complaining about Sakuya and Haseo.