The 2005 World Club Championship should be played in North America, Central America or the Caribbean, a committee of soccer's governing body said Thursday.

The United States is considered the leading contender to host the tournament. FIFA set the field at 16 teams and said it will be played from July 17-31, 2005.

The decision by the World Club Championship organizing committee must be ratified by FIFA's executive committee.

"It's a possibility that they may do it in several countries," U.S. Soccer Federation president Bob Contiguglia said in Denver. "Clearly, the U.S. has demonstrated we're capable of putting on big events. The Manchester United tour certainly showed an interest in high-level club soccer."

Manchester United sold out all four games on its U.S. tour last summer, playing European opponents. Contiguglia said the 16-team field would allow Major League Soccer to participate.

"I would think that if it's played in the United States, an MLS team would be involved," he said.

The first World Club Championship was played in Brazil in 2000. The second tournament was scheduled for Spain in 2001 but was canceled following the collapse of FIFA's marketing partner, ISL.

The tournament has been criticized by many large European clubs, who say the international calendar it too crowded and don't want to participate.

FIFA hopes to hold the event every two years, with Asia playing host in 2007.

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