By Andrew Warshaw
November 6 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter is keen to scrap World Cup qualifying playoffs in future – because they are too painful for the losers. Blatter may not be around in 2018 depending on whether he stands for president again but says so many playoffs is a hard way for teams to miss out on the finals.
Twenty teams plus hosts Brazil have so far qualified for next year’s tournament but the remaining 11 places will be decided this month, all in two-legged playoffs: five in Africa, four in Europe plus two intercontinental ties, Jordan against Uruguay and Mexico versus New Zealand.
“It will be drama because you have to eliminate teams now in two matches,” Blatter said in a video interview on FIFA’s website. “I think this is good for television, this is good for the spectacle of football but I think we should try to find a solution where at the end of the qualification, you are in or out, and not this playoff.
“This playoff…. it gives more intensive action, but for those teams (who are knocked out) it is a hard way to go.”
Blatter also said that FIFA was examining whether to go ahead and allow Egypt to play their home playoff leg against Ghana in Cairo as a result of the security situation. Ghana, who want the game switched to a neutral venue, already lead 6-1 from the first leg and are all but through.
“We should be very careful because they (Ghana) fear something should (might) happen,” said Blatter.
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