Rabat – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fully endorsed Morocco’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2026 and thus become the socond continental country to organize the biggest international football tournament.
On Saturday, CAF president Ahmad Ahmad announced the organization’s support for Morocco’s candidacy to host the 2026 world cup edition.
He made the announcement during a press briefing in the Ghanaian capital Accra.
In August, Ahmad called on African football federations to show a clear support for Morocco’s bid. Morocco sees itself as a representative of Africa, stating the continent has a right to once again organize the competition.
Seen as a David and Goliath race to winning the hosting of the biggest football event, Morocco will have a hard time beating the joint Mexico-US-Canada bid organized the world cup.
However, Morocco can count on the support of African nations in its fifth attempt to realize its world cup dream.
Morocco’s bids were previously unsuccessful to host the editions of 1994, 1998, 2006 and 2010.
In its last attempt, Morocco was close to winning the hosting of the event before losing a tight race against South Africa.
The 2026 edition will see the number of competing teams move up to 48 instead of 32.
Despite the enormity of the challenge of organize such as worldwide event and accommodate thousands of people who would flock to participate and watch the world cup, Moroccan officials remain confident in the country’s capacities.
Earlier in September, the president of the Moroccan Royal Football Federation (FRMF) Faouzi Lakjae told the state-run press agency MAP that Morocco has what it takes to host the world cup, pointing to its infrastructure, hotels and stadiums.
He also said that Morocco’s successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup Club in 2013 and 2014 is a proof that Morocco’s candidacy is serious and “realistic”.
