November 5, 2013
Blatter suggests scrapping World Cup playoffs
ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) — FIFA President Sepp Blatter says World Cup qualification should not involve play-offs, despite the drama they provide.
Blatter has suggested finding “a solution where at the end of the qualification you are in or out, and not this play-off”.
His comments in a FIFA website interview were made before first-leg matches next week in four European play-offs, and two intercontinental play-offs.
Blatter has recently urged some FIFA confederations to seek more guaranteed entries in the 32-team World Cup at Europe’s expense.
UEFA President Michel Platini suggests a 40-team World Cup, as entry quotas shape up as an issue
in the 2015 FIFA presidential election.
