Oceania Football Confederation is hoping it will be allowed to vote in Thursday’s World Cup ballot.
Oceania had seen its FIFA executive committee member, Reynald Temarii, suspended earlier this month, reducing those eligible to vote down to 22 from 24, with Nigerian Amos Adamu also excluded.
However, Oceania has now flown its acting president David Chung to Zurich ahead of the vote with the hope he will be allowed to take Temarii’s place.
Indeed reports on Sunday suggested FIFA had already agreed to Chung taking his place – but the Confederation has described this as ‘speculative’.
If FIFA do accept Chung, it will take the number of votes to be cast in the contest to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to 23.
Meanwhile, Concacaf chief Jack Warner insists he is yet to decide who to vote for in the 2018 contest – although he has already pledged support for USA in the 2022 vote.
“All nations have made impressive presentations. On December 2nd it will come down to who is able to convince the Executive Committee,” he said as he departed for Zurich.
“I am still undecided as to whom we will support, but the Concacaf family will vote together.
“I have stated it openly and I will reiterate, for the 2022 World Cup, the United States has Concacaf’s full support.
“We understand the importance of the December 2nd vote. The eyes of the world will be watching and I am certain we will all do what is best for the game.”
