Issa Hayatou
Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Fifa executive committee recently approved sweeping and extensive changes that will see the number of teams qualifying for the World Cup finals increasing from 32 to 40.
The reforms were crafted by the 2016 Fifa Reform Committee and unanimously approved by the Fifa executive committee led by acting president Issa Hayatou, but the increase in the number of teams qualifying for the World Cup will be further debated at the organisation’s elective extraordinary congress set for Zurich on February 26, 2016.
The increase in the number of teams at the World Cup finals will see Africa gaining two slots from the present five teams while Asia will have six teams, up from five. Europe will also gain one more slot to 14 teams.
Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) will get one more slot from their present four; South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) will maintain their five slots same as Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). The other slot is for the hosts.
The last team shall be determined based on sporting merits using a method yet to be defined.
Asked yesterday when the new format will come into effect, a Fifa spokesperson said: “Further information will follow in due time.”
Some of the reforms adopted by the Fifa executive committee will see Fifa president and all members of the Fifa Council (previously the Fifa executive) serving a maximum of three terms and each term is four years.
“Fifa is currently going through the worst crisis of its history. The current crisis should also be considered as a unique opportunity for Fifa to renew itself.
“Thus, in order to restore confidence in Fifa, significant modifications to its institutional structure and operational processes are necessary to prevent corruption, fraud, self-dealing and to make the organisation more transparent and accountable.
“Recent events in particular have damaged Fifa and essential changes to its culture are needed to effect lasting reform and to restore its reputation so that Fifa can focus on its genuine mission to promote football throughout the world,” wrote the reform committee in its summary report compiled by its chairman Francois Carrard.
The report was sent to all the Fifa associations by the acting secretary-general Markus Kattner through circular number 1,514 last week.
The reform committee further noted that while changes to Fifa’s statutes and operations are necessary to ensure compliance and adherence to governance best practices, cultural and behavioural changes within Fifa’s leadership are the lubricating oil to effect true and lasting changes in order to restore Fifa’s reputation.
“Strong organisations are distinguished not only by their products and services, but by their leaders. Leaders take responsibility when things go awry and when the organisation is at risk.
The reform committee strongly believes that Fifa and its member associations must unite around a core set of principles that communicate its seriousness of purpose to the public as well as enforce meaningful cultural reform to truly change the organisation for the better,” wrote the committee.