World soccer governing body FIFA changed the kickoff time of Uruguay-Australia World Cup playoff on Thursday.

Saturday's match in Montevideo had been scheduled for 9 p.m. (2300 GMT), but Uruguay wanted it four hours earlier to give its players more time to recover before the trip to Australia for the Nov. 16 return leg. Australia refused to play earlier than 7 p.m.

FIFA has ordered the game to be played at 6 p.m. (2000 GMT), three hours earlier than originally planned.

The winner will qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany. The teams met in 2001, with Uruguay reaching the 2002 World Cup after losing 1-0 away and winning 3-0 at home.

Source: Xinhua