OHANNESBURG: FIFA president Sepp Blatter suggested on Friday that the quota of African teams at World Cups could rise if they do well at the 2010
tournament next year.
The continent has six teams participating at the event next year in South Africa for the first time, via five qualifying berths and one as the host country.
In contrast, Europe has 13 slots.
Following the encouraging performance by the South Africans at the Confederations Cup, where they pushed Brazil hard in their narrow 1-0 semi-final defeat on Thursday, Blatter said it would all depend on next year.
"It will not be easy for an African team to win the World Cup because of the law of averages," he said.
"To add more African teams will depend on the results of the African teams.
"Next year they will have the advantage of playing at home in the ambiance we have here and Bafana Bafana (South Africa) confirmed against Brazil that they have improved after they almost pulled off a miracle.
"Let's see what will happen next year.
"I will advocate for Africa, or another continent, when there are doing well in the World Cup."
Friday, June 26, 2009
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