NEW DELHI: FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter said quality would remain the essence of football as regards to the World Cup participation. Mr. Blatter was responding to a query on if FIFA had any plans to increase the number of berths Asia would have in the future World Cups.

"Europe gets 13 slots out of 32 which is a bit unfair but to have a fair distribution of berths across the globe it would take time and a lot of improvement in the way football is played in Asia," Mr. Blatter said.

For the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Asia has four guaranteed berths, plus one more country can make it through a play-off against the winner of Oceania.

"For the moment, there will be no change in this format, but for the 2014 World Cup, to be hosted in all probability by Brazil, everything is open," the FIFA President said.

Way behind

Mr. Blatter said that though many countries in Asia have improved, they are still way behind Europe and Latin America. "And, FIFA has commitment with its sponsors that only the quality teams will feature in the World Cup," he said.

Mr. Blatter on his two-day visit to Delhi met the President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. "I was told that the Indian President is a scientist, but after interacting with him I thought he is more of an economist and a philosopher," said Mr. Blatter.

Dr. Kalam suggested that FIFA could organise and get three or four world-class footballers to tour India to inspire youngsters to take up the sport.

Mr. Blatter said India had a long way to go (to be a world class team). "But it is a possible way to go," he said. "Indian football has a rich history and a brilliant past, but I don't see any future with the way it is being administered," Mr. Blatter said.

But the FIFA President assured that the World body will put together a programme to put India on the road to World football.

At a meeting organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Mr. Blatter invited the corporates to invest in what is described as the most popular and fascinating game in the world.

Later in the day Mr. Blatter called on the Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh.

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