Soccer: NZ out of pocket and out of their league

New Zealand's potential $US1 million ($1.625 million) payday from the World Club Cup soccer tournament in Japan in December has been put in jeopardy by a change of format by the organisers.

The world governing body Fifa has decided that the winners of the Oceania qualifying tournament at North Harbour in May will have to play off against the winners of Japan's J-League for a place in the cup.

The Oceania representatives would originally have been guaranteed US$1 million and two games in the tournament. Now Fifa is talking about US$500,000 for seventh place.

NZ Soccer chief executive Graham Seatter understands the reasoning behind Fifa's decision as Australia's departure to the Asian Football Confederation on January 1 left Oceania as the only confederation without a professional league.

Fifa fears Oceania's amateur representative will be embarrassed on the pitch by the financial might of clubs such as Liverpool, who played in last year's tournament as European champions.

"While we're obviously disappointed Oceania's champion has lost its place in the main draw, we understand Fifa's reasons and have to accept an amateur team is likely to struggle in an environment with professional clubs," Seatter said.

"The Oceania winners still get their trip to Japan and hopefully they'll make the tournament proper anyway."

The first of New Zealand's two representatives in the Oceania qualifying tournament will be found tomorrow in the final round of the national championship.