Soccer: Oceania hope for automatic Cup slot

The success of the Asian teams at the World Cup finals should pave the way for automatic qualification for a team from Oceania in 2006, Australian coach Frank Farina said in Sydney yesterday.

Speaking before the Australian team's departure for New Zealand and this month's Oceania Nations Cup, Farina said the emergence of new powers may force governing body Fifa to spread the game even further.

"I don't think many of the other confederations can justify asking for another spot because I don't think their performances warrant it."

In Yokohama, Fifa president Sepp Blatter said the chances of many more countries around the world holding cup tournaments had increased with the successful staging of the first co-hosted finals in South Korea and Japan.

nzherald.co.nz/fifaworldcup

Groups and team lists
Stars
Schedule
Points tables
Previous winners and key statistics

Interactive graphics:
Groups and team profiles