Moroccans can now heave a sigh of relief after world governing football body FIFA retained its bid to host the 2026 world cup.
President of the Moroccan bid committee said ‘‘the support it has received is far beyond what was hoped’‘, without specifying the number of support expected during the vote.
On the streets of Rabat, locals are hopeful that the North African nation’s bid will pull through.
“I think we’ll get there, FIFA must show that it is democratic and must let the file take its course, I’m sure Morocco will win, I hope that the record that is most complete is the one that will win, and I am convinced that Morocco will win, and congratulations to all Moroccans for this first victory. “said Moroccan resident, Youssef El Kharrouf.
Brahim, a trader hopes the nation can make Africa proud.
‘‘I hope that Morocco will have the chance to organize this World Cup, we would like to see us too football at home, it’s been 20 years since our team did not participate in a World Cup, we would like to organize world Cup,” he said.
But journalist Mohamed Benghazi is pessimistic.
“Morocco is very lucky regarding the number of votes it can win, certainly there are always surprises on the side of FIFA in As for the candidacy of certain countries, it has a different treatment for the underdeveloped countries or those who do not have the weight of the big countries, in truth I am pessimistic on this side”, Benghazi said.
Out of a total of 211 FIFA member federations, the four in contention can not take part in the vote. Morocco’s candidacy will be voted on June 13 in Moscow against the trio United States-Canada-Mexico. The trio have received the strong support of US President Donald Trump, who has threatened countries that do not support them with political sanctions.
To strengthen its chances, the Cherifian kingdom has presented its candidacy on behalf of “the entire African continent” and is making a case on its stability and geographical location.
AFP