Africa will be guaranteed nine places, up from the current five, and a tenth country will compete in a six-team play-off tournament to determine the final two qualifiers, potentially giving the continent an extra spot.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had been lobbying for at least ten spots, with the continent accounting for 54 of FIFA's 211 member associations, or slightly more than a quarter.
It appears that a compromise has been reached, though it remains an uneven split when compared to more favored confederations such as Europe and South America. The latter has only ten member associations, but six are guaranteed to attend the tournament, with the possibility of a seventh through the play-off tournament.
The number of guaranteed slots in Europe has increased from 13 to 16, while the North and Central American confederation has increased from three to six, and Asia has increased from four to eight. Oceania will now have one guaranteed place, rather than having to compete in a play-off with a South American team.As a result, New Zealand should qualify for every World Cup in the expanded format, with little competition from their region after Australia defected to the Asian confederation.
Africa has previously fielded six teams at the World Cup, including South Africa (hosts), Nigeria, Cameroon, Algeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast in 2010.Egypt was the first African team to compete in the World Cup, appearing in the 1934 tournament in Italy. Morocco did not make a second appearance from the continent until 1970, when the continent's slots were doubled to two in 1982. Three became three in 1994, and five became five in 1998.
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Antony proves Erik ten Hag right as Manchester United boss hints at six starters vs Burnley
At the World Cup, Antony proved Ten Hag's United prediction correct.
Antony has had a difficult few days, but it could be the turning point in his career in a United shirt.
The 22-year-old carried the weight of a nation on his shoulders as he came off the bench in Brazil's quarter-final loss to Croatia on Friday, a cameo that ended in tears after their penalty shootout defeat.
During his time on the field, Antony demonstrated both the good and the bad aspects of his game, which Erik ten Hag is well aware of. There were the traditional samba moves, the fierce fight, and the determination to win the ball.Dubravka may have played his last match.
After Martin Dubravka's disappointing performance against Cádiz, David de Gea returned to training on Thursday and was immediately inserted back into the starting lineup.
The Spaniard is not in danger of losing his first-team spot at United this season, and the fact that he was chosen ahead of Dubravka may hint at his role against Burnley the following week.
It was even more telling that this time, Tom Heaton was chosen to come off the bench at halftime, adding another layer of competition to the undercard.
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