FIFA to debate proposed increase in teams at World Cup

April 23, 2003 Print it

ZURICH, Switzerland -- Soccer's governing body will consider a proposal to add four teams to the World Cup, which would increase the field to 36.

FIFA's executive committee will consider the plan, proposed by South America's governing body, when it meets May 3.

"In recent weeks, FIFA has held various discussions with the 2006 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee Germany, TV partners and other parties in order to probe the viability of this proposal," FIFA said in a statement Wednesday.

South American officials made the proposal after FIFA cut the continent's World Cup berths from five to four.

The executive committee also will discuss the Women's World Cup, due to take place from Sept. 23 to Oct. 11 in China, which has been hit by an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. FIFA has postponed the draw, which had been scheduled for May 24.

Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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