FIFA will not co-host Cup anymore - Pele

Edson Arantes Do Nascimento - or Pele as he is better known to soccer lovers the world over - chose to keep his cards close to his chest when asked to endorse the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC"s) view that they should get an increased number of berths for the next World Cup in 2006.

Speaking at a press conference organised in the Pan-Pacific hotel in Tokyo, Pele softpedalled on the AFC's current demand to FIFA saying, "I believe that every nation should get an opportunity to play.

"If FIFA want the same then it is fine. However, if you have more than 32 teams taking part then poorer countries will find it tough to host the World Cup in the future.

"But if teams are good then they should automatically be able to qualify and play."

While on the subject of increased berths for Asia, Pele cautioned that FIFA was not planning to repeat the concept of two nations co-hosting the World Cup in the near future.

"I don't think FIFA is going to repeat this idea in the future," he endorsed.

"Somebody has mentioned that Brazil and Argentina were planning to co-host the event in 2010 but FIFA have analysed it and come to the conclusion that the experience here was not so good."

When asked to predict a winner for this World Cup, Pele quipped, "It is not so much a wish as it is a possibility. But there are always surprises. It is better therefore, to keep Brazil's chances low profile."

Aware that Germany had already won three World Cups, Pele said, "It is important for the sport that South Korea reaches the final."

His wish, however, did not come true.