2014 World Cup allocations set

ZURICH, Switzerland, March 3 (UPI) -- The allocations of slots, including 13 for European teams, for the 2014 World Cup will remain the same as last year, soccer's governing body said Thursday.

FIFA, soccer's world federation, said 13 spots in the 32-team field will be set aside for European teams while South America could have as many as six teams in the 2014 tournament.

The regional allocations were unchanged from 2010 with 13 for Europe, five for Africa, four -- not counting the automatic berth for Brazil as the host team -- for South America and Asia. Teams from North American, Central America and the Caribbean -- a region known as CONCACAF -- will compete for three places.

The other two spots in the field will be awarded to teams from South America, Asia, Oceanic and CONCACAF that win two-legged playoff series.

It is possible for South America to have six teams -- its four automatic berths, host Brazil and one from the playoff series.

Africa had six teams qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but by losing the automatic entry for the host team, the continent will have five teams in the 2014 World Cup.