Paris, 28 June 2003 -The final competition of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany^TM will definitely feature 32 teams. The FIFA Executive Committee reached this decision today, 27 June 2003, at a meeting in Paris under the chairmanship of President Joseph S. Blatter.

The executive members representing the South American confederation of CONMEBOL adhered to the request of President Blatter and withdrew their proposal to increase the number of teams to 36.

Furthermore, the committee members agreed to a proposal tabled by vice-president Lennart Johansson and awarded an extra half-place (0.5) to South America.

Consequently, Oceania will now receive half a place (0.5). The final distribution of places for the 2006 FIFA World Cup^TM is as follows: Europe (14), Asia (4.5), South America (4.5), Africa (5), North, Central America and Caribbean (3.5) and Oceania (0.5).

The committee also decided that 32 teams would also contest the final competition of the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM.

Source: Fifa.com