Africa calls for FIFA to increase World Cup places

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 18 (Reuters) – FIFA should consider increasing the number of African teams in future World Cup finals from the current five, the president of the Ghana FA,  told Reuters on Friday.

Despite some disappointing World Cup performances in recent finals, Nyantakyi said in an interview that the top African teams were now on a par with many European ones.

“Based on the overall performances of African teams in recent years in many competitions, Africa really deserves more,” Nyantakyi said.

“In the 2006 World Cup an African team was the only one from Asia, Africa, and North and Central America to make it to the second round. Only Ghana did that.

“Many European teams continually fail to get beyond the first phase of the competition. Africa has 52 countries, Europe has 53 countries and Europe normally has 14 to 16 teams in the finals and we should get at least half of that number,” he added.

European nations will comprise 13 of the 32 sides at next year’s World Cup in Brazil while Africa will have five teams.

“I think we should have about eight teams by now because our teams have excelled in other competitions like the Olympic Games and FIFA junior titles,” Nyantakyi said. Read more