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Uruguay fight for more South American World Cup places at Brazil 2014 
30 Jun 2010:
DPA ©
Oscar Tabarez Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez led calls Wednesday for South America not to have its quota of teams reduced at the next World Cup in Brazil.
Uruguay could be in the World Cup semi-finals come Friday night if they beat Ghana in Johannesburg. But they would not even be in South Africa had it not been for South America's quota of "4.5" World Cup places.
Under the current system, four teams qualify from South America and a fifth side then has a play-off against a team from Caribbean and North and Central American qualification - hence the South American allocation being referred to as "4.5".
But because Brazil are hosting the next World Cup in 2014, and therefore qualify automatically as hosts, FIFA are considering cutting the "4.5" quota to just four.
Uruguay finished fifth in South American qualifying, and only made it to South Africa by beating Costa Rica in a two-legged play-off last November. In the same position next time they would not play in the World Cup finals.
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said in Kimberley on Wednesday: "The fact that there are four South American teams in the last eight does not surprise me.
"I think it is something that should be considered when deciding how many places each continent has at the next tournament. It is clear that South America has brought a lot to this World Cup."
Africa had six places in total for this World Cup. That was more than ever before in their history with the hosts South Africa joining five teams that came through qualifying.
"I hope that the four South American teams get through to the semi-finals," said Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan. "This shows how strong our qualification process is."
Captain Diego Lugano said: "It is great for South American football that of the eight teams left, four are from our region. And it is even more important now that there is controversy over whether or not we should have the same quota for Brazil."
This is the first time that four South American teams have made the last eight. And with no two teams from the continent playing each other in the quarter-finals there is even a chance of an all South- American last four.
Tabarez said: "This World Cup has shown the power of the South American teams."
According to Forlan, "South American qualification is perhaps the most difficult, not only because of the presence of Brazil and Argentina, but also because teams have to play in the heat, the cold, and at altitude, and there are so many long journeys to matches."
FIFA will make a final decision about continental allocations before the draw for qualifying groups, due to be held in July 2011.
30 Jun 2010:DPA ©
Oscar Tabarez Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez led calls Wednesday for South America not to have its quota of teams reduced at the next World Cup in Brazil.
Uruguay could be in the World Cup semi-finals come Friday night if they beat Ghana in Johannesburg. But they would not even be in South Africa had it not been for South America's quota of "4.5" World Cup places.
Under the current system, four teams qualify from South America and a fifth side then has a play-off against a team from Caribbean and North and Central American qualification - hence the South American allocation being referred to as "4.5".
But because Brazil are hosting the next World Cup in 2014, and therefore qualify automatically as hosts, FIFA are considering cutting the "4.5" quota to just four.
Uruguay finished fifth in South American qualifying, and only made it to South Africa by beating Costa Rica in a two-legged play-off last November. In the same position next time they would not play in the World Cup finals.
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said in Kimberley on Wednesday: "The fact that there are four South American teams in the last eight does not surprise me.
"I think it is something that should be considered when deciding how many places each continent has at the next tournament. It is clear that South America has brought a lot to this World Cup."
Africa had six places in total for this World Cup. That was more than ever before in their history with the hosts South Africa joining five teams that came through qualifying.
"I hope that the four South American teams get through to the semi-finals," said Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan. "This shows how strong our qualification process is."
Captain Diego Lugano said: "It is great for South American football that of the eight teams left, four are from our region. And it is even more important now that there is controversy over whether or not we should have the same quota for Brazil."
This is the first time that four South American teams have made the last eight. And with no two teams from the continent playing each other in the quarter-finals there is even a chance of an all South- American last four.
Tabarez said: "This World Cup has shown the power of the South American teams."
According to Forlan, "South American qualification is perhaps the most difficult, not only because of the presence of Brazil and Argentina, but also because teams have to play in the heat, the cold, and at altitude, and there are so many long journeys to matches."
FIFA will make a final decision about continental allocations before the draw for qualifying groups, due to be held in July 2011.