Expanded W/Cup: Africa Demands 10 Slots

The continent’s football association presidents have told football’s world governing body Fifa that they want at least 10 spots in the 48-team World Cup.

“All associations back the idea to expand the World Cup and there is hope that Africa can have 10 places,” said South African FA chief Danny Jordaan.
That would be double the five places Africa has at the 2018 and 2022 events. Europe is seeking a minimum of 16 places, up from 13, and wants its sides to be separated in the opening group stage.

The first phase will see 16 groups of three teams, with the top two advancing to a 32-team knockout phase under plans approved by Fifa last month. Asia are expected to get eight to nine places, compared to 4.5 now, and South America, which has 10 member countries, a total of six, also up from 4.5.

The Concacaf region, made up of the Caribbean, Central and North American countries, would get 6.5 places, compared to 3.5, with Oceania, the small Pacific Islands confederation, having one automatic place at the finals instead of 0.5.