FIFA president Sepp Blatter hinted that African teams could acquire additional places in the World Cup if they do well in next year's finals in South Africa. The Dark Continent has had five representatives in the quadrennial tournament since the 1998 edition in France. No African team managed to go beyond the quarter-finals but some produced promising displays that tipped them to make better impact next year. Egypt caused one of the major upsets in the history of football by beating world champions Italy 1-0 in the Confederations Cup. Hosts South Africa booked a last-four berth and looked capable of stunning Brazil in the semi final but the Selecao grabbed a hard-fought win via a Daniel Alves free kick two minutes from time. "I will advocate for Africa, or indeed for any other continent that is doing well in the World Cup," Blatter told a news conference on Friday. Six African teams will participate in next year's World Cup – the regular five in addition to hosts South Africa. "It is not easy for Africa to make an impression because by the law of averages they don't have the same possibility to make an impression in the way Europe and South America do," Blatter added. "Europe has 13 places to Africa's six and so it is hard to expect there can be a host of African sides dominating the latter stages. "But in 2010 the African teams have an advantage in that they are playing at home and in their own special atmosphere. African sides have proven they can play a big part next year. Let's see what will happen."
