South American soccer chiefs have put off a decision on the organization of the continent's World Cup qualifying tournament for the 2010 Finals.
"We asked the presidents of the national associations to put forward their ideas at a future meeting so that this can be sorted out with time to spare," Eduardo Deluca, general secretary of the South American Football Confederation (CSF), said in Asuncion, Paraguay on Thursday.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said last month that world soccer's governing body would not accept a repeat of the controversial system in which the 10 South American nations play each other home and away in a tournament lasting more than two years.
The format, used in the qualifying competitions for the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups, has prompted protests from European clubs, who say their South American players return from their frequent transatlantic trips tired or injured.
One possible alternative would involve a preliminary stage with two groups of five, where the teams play each other once,followed by a six-team mini-league, possibly held at a single venue.
Another would involve dividing the teams into two groups of five.
Deluca said another meeting would be held in February or March to discuss the matter.