FIFA President Sepp Blatter wants to see an African team reach the World Cup semi-finals and is willing to change the qualifying process to increase the number of teams from the continent that qualify for the tournament. Blatter said that future World Cups could see a change in continental quotas to reflect soccer's international growth away from its traditional power bases of Europe and South America. This means Ghana will have an easier task of qualifying for the World Cup as against all African countries having to battle for only five places at the tournament. This makes the qualifying process very competitive with many of Africa's top footballing nations battling for the overly limited places. Responding to a question about Africa's chances of producing a World Cup winning side, Blatter added that teams from outside Europe were disadvantaged because they had fewer representatives at the finals. "We will have to change the numbers but we'll do it step-by-step," the Swiss head of football's world governing body said. "One day we should open (the World Cup) more." Africa will have six representatives for the first time at the 2010 finals, five qualifiers plus host nation South Africa. "I do hope that with all the power of Africa behind them, we'll see an African team in the semi-finals," Blatter said. "And if they get to the semi-finals then why not go higher to the final. "But the problem is numbers. Europe have 13 teams, so it is easier for them to ensure some representation in the later rounds. "Nowadays everybody can beat anybody. We saw many surprises come out in the latest round of World Cup qualifiers," he added. Concluding a four day visit to the next World Cup hosts South Africa, Blatter said he had been pleased with progress towards the organising of the 2010 event but said there is still work to be done. "What I am missing is the feeling of the World Cup. There needs to be more marketing of the event. Africa needs to tell the world it's ready to host the event." During his visit, Blatter toured stadiums in Cape Town and Johannesburg and met with several senior political figures. Source: Ghanasoccernet.com