The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had complained to Fifa, the sport's ruling body, that its share of places in the 32-team finals, co-hosted by Japan and South Korea, had been cut compared with last year's World Cup in France.

In December the confederation, which represents more than 40 Asian footballing nations, said the allocation was unfair and threatened strike action if it was not increased.

2006 World Cup delay

Following two days of meetings in Los Angeles, Fifa President Sepp Blatter announced a deal, which would lead to a European team playing a deciding qualifier against an Asian national side.

The move, in effect, gives Asia an extra half a place and reduces the European allocation.

The AFC says Asian teams should not suffer because of the joint-hosting

The deal coincided with an announcement by Fifa that the vote to decide the venue for the 2006 Finals has been put back from March to July 2000.

The four month delay will allow the six continental football congresses to separately consider the bids by England, Germany, Brazil, South Africa and Morocco.

Despite the compromise, Korean Fifa executive committee member Chung Mong-Joon refused to rule out a boycott of 2002.

He said: "We wanted a guaranteed place. I am disappointed.

"I will have to make my report to the different members of the Confederation."

Europe's defence

Blatter said the head of European football, Lennart Johansson, had "generously" made the offer in a "good spirit of solidarity".

The deal must still be formally approved by the European governing body, Uefa, and by the AFC due to meet separately on Thursday.

England's Fifa representative David Will: "England's chances of hosting the World Cup have been greatly boosted"

European teams had been allocated 15 places in the 32-team finals, including one automatic position for World Champions, France.

But Asia had provision for only four teams, two of which were allocated to co-hosts Japan and South Korea.

In March, Lennart Johansson, the head of European football's governing body Uefa, said Asian nations should "look somewhere else" for help.

"It's always Europe that has to give in," he said. "My opinion is Europe should not give up a spot."

Asian counter-attack

At the finals in France last year, Asia had three automatic places plus a play-off spot which Iran won by beating Oceania winner Australia.

None of the Asian teams advanced beyond the first round.

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Nonetheless the AFC, which says it represents more than half the world's footballing population, argued that a place had effectively been taken away.

The Asian countries said it was not their decision to appoint co-hosts, thus losing them one place.

They say the decision was a political one and should not affect their participation.

South Korea and Japan were made co-hosts after a particularly bitter and expensive bidding process.

The 2002 tournament will be the first time the finals have been held in Asia.