The battle for which African country becomes the first ever to host the World Cup finals began Wednesday when Fifa opened bidding for 2010.
Under Fifa’s new rules, the hosting of football’s most
glittering prize, will be on a rotation basis of continents, starting with Africa for 2010.
However the executive board have not yet accepted how rotation will fully work, apart from allowing Africa to be the first continent in the rotation system.
Many senior Fifa members accept it cannot be on a simple every four year basis.
If that was agreed Europe, Fifa’s most powerful lobby, would only host the World Cup every 24 years.
African nations have until December 31 to declare their interest after being sent an updated list of requirements to host the World Cup.
The deadline for final applications will be April 30 2003. South Africa had looked to be odds on to host the 2006 edition, with Fifa president Sepp Blatter a keen supporter, but were beaten in the final round of voting by Germany in Zurich in 2000. – Sapa-AFP