A day after reports indicated that CONCACAF was asking FIFA to change its 2014 World Cup qualifying format back to the six-team final round it has used for the last four World Cups, FIFA executive committee member and CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer confirmed that the confederation is looking to make the change. The change would allow the United States and Mexico to play each other in World Cup qualifiers, something that was in danger of not happening to the displeasure of both teams’ fans.
CONCACAF Files To Change 2014 World Cup Qualifying Back To Hex
The confederation had planned to switch to a final round of qualifying that would be made up of two four-team groups, but that plan was nixed when FIFA did not increase CONCACAF’s number of World Cup bids from 3.5 spots to four spots. With just 3.5 spots, there would be more matches needed for qualifying than there are available FIFA international dates.
FIFA had already approved CONCACAF’s switch from the six-team final round, often called the Hexagonal or Hex, to the two four-team groups. Now, FIFA will have to approve the confederation’s switch back to the Hex although that is believed to be a mere formality. The FIFA executive committee has received the confederation’s plan to revert back to the Hex and could make its decision as early as this week.
See More:
