CAIRO: FIFA president Sepp Blatter hinted at the probability of increasing the number of African nations competing in the World Cup finals.
When asked about the Dark Continent s chances of seeing greater success in the world s top competition, Blatter implied that a quota change would be considered in that matter.
We will have to change the numbers but we’ll do it step-by-step, Blatter told a news conference on Wednesday.
One day we should open [the World Cup] more.
I do hope that with all the power of Africa behind them, we’ll see an African team in the semi-finals. And if they get to the semi-finals then why not go higher to the final.
But the problem is numbers. Europe have 13 teams, so it is easier for them to ensure some representation in the later rounds.
Nowadays everybody can beat anybody. We saw many surprises come out in the latest round of World Cup qualifiers.
The upcoming World Cup will witness the presence of six African teams for the first time, since South Africa host the event in 2010.
