"Stick with 32 teams" - Blatter

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has said he doesn't want to see the World Cup be increased to 36 teams, after being submitted with five different formats for the possible running of the tornament with the four extra teams.

After losing a qualifying place in the next World Cup, CONMEBOL proposed a plan by which they, along with CONCACAF and the AFC, would gain an extra place while UEFA would gain two extra places. CAF and OFC would be left out.

Of the five proposals given, only one proposal came close to being accepted. That was nine groups, all group winners progress while the top five runners-up also progress. The remaining four teams would play-off to determine the final two teams for the round of 16.

It's not as simple as the current model but it was never going to be with four extra teams to deal with.

In the end all the models were deemed inferior to the current model of 32 teams.

Thursday, 12 June, 2003

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