European teams to play fewer matches to qualify 2010 World Cup finals

Updated：2007-06-26 From：Xinhuanet

LONDON, June 25 (Xinhua) -- European soccer governing body UEFA has announced that European teams will play fewer matches to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

All 53 UEFA members will be drawn into eight groups of six teams, and one group of five. The nine group winners will qualify directly and the best eight runners-up will play home and away playoff matches for the remaining four places.

"It's a good compromise solution, because I wasn't really happy with the format for the last qualifying competition with groups of seven and eight teams," said UEFA President Michel Platini, who is in favour of smaller groups.

The executive committee of European soccer's governing body also discussed the future format of the Champions League and UEFA Cup from 2009 to 2012.