4.5 slots for Asia in 2014 FIFA World Cup

Asia will continue to have the 4.5 berths reserved for the continent in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, to be held in Brazil.The decision was confirmed by the FIFA Executive Committee which met in Zurich, Thursday. The 4.5 places or berths is the same distribution of slots as for the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.

For the play-offs relating to the half slots, a draw will determine how the four confederations involved (AFC, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL and OFC) will pair off. Sufficient time will be allowed between the home and away legs of these play-offs.

The play-off team from Asia had played against an Oceania team for a slot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The slots available for the 2014 FIFA World Cup are: AFC 4.5, CAF 5.0, CONCACAF 3.5, CONMEBOL 4.5, OFC 0.5, UEFA 13.0 and one slot the host Brazil.