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Oceania to join Asia playoffs?
Reuters
FIFA chief Sepp Blatter said on Friday that the champions of Oceania could join the final round of Asian qualifiers for future World Cups.
Oceania's current "half" place could possibly shrink further if the regional winners had to join a group of Asian teams instead of being involved in a two-leg playoff.
"I think the solution will be to have the winner of the Oceania elimination join the Asian group," Blatter told reporters in Tokyo.
"I don't know if we will say it's a half slot or if they will go and play with Asia. At least they will have the possibility to fight to enter the World Cup."
Representing Oceania, Australia qualified for the World Cup for only the second time last month after beating Uruguay on penalties following a 1-1 stalemate over two games.
Despite qualifying for Germany through the region, the Socceroos had already committed to plans to leave Oceania to become part of the Asian Football Confederation.
New Zealand opposed Australia's move amid concern their defection could dilute the quality of the region and leave it vulnerable to FIFA politics.
Blatter stressed, however, that FIFA's executive committee was yet to make a decision on the matter.
"Everyone must have the chance, among FIFA's 207 national associations, to try and get into the World Cup," he said.
"But it has not been decided yet."
Meanwhile, Blatter expressed confidence that 2002 co-hosts South Korea and Japan could demonstrate that their success at the last World Cup was no fluke.
South Korea became the first Asian team to reach the semi-finals while Japan reached the last 16.
Oceania to join Asia playoffs?
Reuters
FIFA chief Sepp Blatter said on Friday that the champions of Oceania could join the final round of Asian qualifiers for future World Cups.
Oceania's current "half" place could possibly shrink further if the regional winners had to join a group of Asian teams instead of being involved in a two-leg playoff.
"I think the solution will be to have the winner of the Oceania elimination join the Asian group," Blatter told reporters in Tokyo.
"I don't know if we will say it's a half slot or if they will go and play with Asia. At least they will have the possibility to fight to enter the World Cup."
Representing Oceania, Australia qualified for the World Cup for only the second time last month after beating Uruguay on penalties following a 1-1 stalemate over two games.
Despite qualifying for Germany through the region, the Socceroos had already committed to plans to leave Oceania to become part of the Asian Football Confederation.
New Zealand opposed Australia's move amid concern their defection could dilute the quality of the region and leave it vulnerable to FIFA politics.
Blatter stressed, however, that FIFA's executive committee was yet to make a decision on the matter.
"Everyone must have the chance, among FIFA's 207 national associations, to try and get into the World Cup," he said.
"But it has not been decided yet."
Meanwhile, Blatter expressed confidence that 2002 co-hosts South Korea and Japan could demonstrate that their success at the last World Cup was no fluke.
South Korea became the first Asian team to reach the semi-finals while Japan reached the last 16.
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