April 17 – South Africa has announced it is supporting Morocco’s 2026 World Cup bid, a potentially crucial move that could affect what many experts have predicted will be a split in how the Continent votes in June.
South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan (pictured) has promised Morocco “unqualified support” in its drive to snatch the tournament away from the heavyweight north American favourites.
“It is an old myth that Africa doesn’t have the capacity and naysayers should stop using the political argument,” said SAFA president Jordaan whose country beat Morocco to the vote for 2010.
“Africa hosted the best FIFA World Cup ever and with good support Morocco can emulate South Africa.”
Back in February and without Morocco’s knowledge, North American bid leaders presented their credentials to the 14-member southern African soccer body COSAFA in Johannesburg.
That was widely assumed to indicate Africa could be split on regional lines when it comes to the vote but Jordaan’s announcement suggests COSAFA members might rally behind the Moroccans who believe they are closing the gap on the favourites.
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