By Andrew Warshaw
March 3 – Football’s world governing body today decided not to change the allocation of places for the 2014 World Cup finals despite several regions clamouring for more representation.
In what appeared to be a compromise move, FIFA instead announced there would be an open draw for the two inter-continental playoff slots involving countries from four of its six confederations.
The decision means Asia keeps 4.5 places, Oceania half a place, CONCACAF – North and Central America and the Caribbean – 3.5 and Europe 13.
Although technically nothing has changed, South America will undoubtedly benefit most.
As hosts of the tournament, Brazil will qualify automatically meaning the continent will gain one extra spot – and could end up with as many as six.
Conversely, Africa will lose one representative and drop to five.
The decision by FIFA’s Executive Committee to retain the status quo will particularly anger Asia and CONCACAF, both of whom had been lobbying for an extra half-place to reflect the size of their respective memberships.
Instead, FIFA have effectively given half of South America’s 10 member nations the chance to play in the finals, a move that will not make the likes of Jack Warner, FIFA’s longest serving vice-president, best pleased.
As expected Europe’s 13 places were unchallenged after providing three of the 2010 semi-finalists.
Africa, with no host nation this time, were bound to lose at least one spot and it did not help their cause that only Ghana made any kind of showing at last year’s finals.
Sepp Blatter (pictured), who is bidding for a fourth term as President in June, had been put in an invidious situation in terms of how to keep everyone sweet.
The newly installed open playoff draw should at least go some way to appeasing Warner and those whose support Blatter may need if anyone emerges to stand against him.
Usually World Cup playoff matches take place on a pre-arranged basis in terms of who plays who.
For the 2006 tournament, Oceania met South America and Asia took on Concacaf, while for 2010 it was Asia versus Oceania and CONCACAF’s fourth-placed qualifier taking on South America’s fifth.
Now, all four playoff nations will be thrown into a hat in the race to secure the final two berths.
“When it comes to the distribution of slots, there is always somewhere some confederation would like to add,” said Blatter.
“Naturally CONCACAF was not so happy but they have to admit that a huge majority of the Executive Committee wanted to maintain the principle that had prevailed in the past.”
CONCACAF will still consider themselves the fall-guys in what amounts to a double whammy after the United States missed out to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.
But Blatter said: “Because CONCACAFwas not so eager once again to play in a playoff with Conmebol, it was decided to have a draw.
“It was a democratic process.
“It’s impossible always to make everybody happy.”
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1752347848labto1752347848ofdlr1752347848owedi1752347848sni@w1752347848ahsra1752347848w.wer1752347848dna1752347848
Related stories
February 2011: Blatter under pressure over World Cup slots