YOKOHAMA -- Oceania will be awarded one spot at the 2006 World Cup, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Friday at a press conference following a FIFA executive committee meeting held earlier in the day.

"All confederations shall have at least one team at the World Cup and therefore Oceania shall have direct access to the World Cup," Blatter said.

The re-elected president of soccer's world governing body said that awarding one slot to the region would not cause any conflict among the confederations over the share of allocations, as Oceania can take advantage of the spot released by the defending World Cup champion. FIFA had already decided not to give an automatic qualification spot to the defending champion for the 2006 tournament.

Oceania has always suffered in the World Cup slot allocations. The winner from the area was given half-a-spot and had to play a play-off against a team from another confederation.

"If (Oceania) gets one, we still have a half. Everybody is happy and I am confident that the decision will be taken," Blatter noted.

Blatter said that national associations and leagues should reduce the number of competitions to protect players and the game from overwork. Player fatigue has been one of the biggest concerns among soccer critics particularly with the early departure of a number of major teams in this World Cup.

"FIFA must have a look at the overloaded calendar caused by national leagues, continental competitions, and national cup competitions," Blatter said. "Now the biggest leagues in Europe have 20 or so teams and in addition to the home and away games there are domestic cup competitions. On top of that teams are participating in club matches on a continental level. This is too much.

"Somebody must intervene if leagues don't stop it. If national associations will not intervene, then one day FIFA must make a dictate by saying 'stop that,' " he stressed.

However, when asked about the Confederations Cup in a congested calendar, Blatter replied that FIFA had to hold it for reasons to do with its sponsorship deals.

"We still have contractual obligations to our partners, sponsors and broadcasters until 2006. We have to play the Confederations Cup," Blatter said before adding "I believe in the value of the Confederations Cup. Because besides the World Cup, it is the only official competition where national teams from different confederations can meet."

The Confederations Cup is held every odd year and the 2005 tournament, Blatter said, will take place in Germany as a rehearsal for the 2006 World Cup.

As far as the host for the 2003 Confederations Cup, slated for June 18-29, is concerned, FIFA will make a decision at an executive committee meeting on Sept. 23. Four nations -- Australia, France, South Africa and the United States -- are bidding to host the event.

Blatter disclosed that Japan has qualified for the 2003 Confederations Cup as the Asian champion along with five other confederation champions -- Cameroon from Africa, Colombia from South America, United States from the CONCACAF and France from Europe with the Oceania representative to be decided later. The biennial tournament will also feature the winner of the 2002 World Cup and the host nation. If the host has already qualified, another team will be invited to take part.

FIFA said it has asked its referees' committee to file a report on the refereeing issue and any ideas of improving the situation to the FIFA general secretariat by the end of July, and these will be handled at the FIFA executive meeting in September.

FIFA will also make a report on the ticketing problems which have frustrated so many fans at this tournament. FIFA confirmed it will conduct an investigation into the ticketing problems upon a request from Japanese authorities. The results of the investigation will be announced at the FIFA meeting in September.

FIFA also announced the appointment of deputy general secretary Swiss Urs Linsi as acting general secretary to replace out-going Michael Zen-Ruffinen.