conspicuous by its absence from that list is Bermuda.

Some 169 countries, an increase of 25 on 1994, were announced by FIFA yesterday as having entered, with the continental breakdown appearing as: Europe 50, Africa 36, Asia 35, Concacaf 28, South America 10, Oceania 10.

Bermuda was one of just two nations among the CONCACAF region that failed to submit application for the event, the other being Cuba.

The Bermuda Football Association (BFA) recently cited a lack of finances as a primary reason for failing to enter, this after enjoying perhaps their finest ever run in the competition back in 1993 when they reached the first round of qualifying.

September 30 was the deadline set by FIFA for countries to send in applications, however general secretary Sepp Blatter yesterday left the door open for more to come aboard. Late entries might still be accepted for technical and administrative reasons, particularly from Africa, where up to 13 countries could still enter, FIFA said.

"FIFA wants to enable as many of its 193 member countries as possible to enter the World Cup,'' said Sepp Blatter.

"We already have a record entry for 1998, so that landmark is past, but we do not want any national team to feel it is being excluded from the world's biggest sports event.'' However, when contacted BFA general secretary David Sabir noted the association had "given no further consideration to it's participation in the World Cup''.

The draw for the qualifying rounds will take place in Paris on December 12.

France will host the finals.