BFA to decide on Morocco's 2026 bid
Staff Writer | Friday May 11, 2018 14:17
Morocco is bidding to become the second African country to host World Cup, and officials from the North African country were recently in Botswana to present their bid book.
BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti said they will make a decision after the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) on May 25.
“They (Morocco officials) were in Botswana to present their bid book. But my position will be clear after the 25th,” Letshwiti said.
The last time an African country, South Africa bid for the World Cup in 2010, CAF members rallied behind the bid.
South Africa became the first African country to host the World Cup in 2010, a largely successful tournament.
It resulted in financial spin-offs for CAF members. FIFA made $631million profit during the 2007-2010 World Cup cycle, while the soccer body earned $3.65billion from the tournament’s contracts.
There would be a temptation to give the World Cup to Africa for the second time, but sentiment has not been overwhelming as during South Africa’s bid. Morocco has failed in two other bids, in 2006 and 2010 to land the tournament. For the 2026 bid, the North Africans are up against a formidable joint bid from Canada, Mexico and United States.
The 68th FIFA Congress, to be held in Russia on June 13, will decide the next host. Russia hosts this year’s tournament from June 14 to July 15, while Qatar organises the next tournament in 2022.