North Africa

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has made his clearest statement yet as to who he believes should win the race to host the 2006 World Cup.

South Africa will be the first of five countries to present their official bids to host the 2006 World Cup finals.

Those countries hoping to host soccer's 2006 World Cup have begun presenting their official bids to governing body FIFA.

Germany and Brazil will officially join the race to host the 2006 World Cup today when they submit their bids to FIFA.

The trial of four Germans accused of beating a French policeman almost to death at last year's World Cup finals will not affect Germany's bid to host the tournament in 2006, German Football Federation (DFB) President Egidius Braun has said.

South African soccer officials, confident of the quality of their bid, have revealed why they think they should host the 2006 World Cup.

Morocco have staked their claim to be Africa's first choice for the 2006 World Cup.

Africa?s poor safety record which has seen 50 soccer spectators killed in separate incidents in less than a month could undermine plans to stage the World Cup in the continent for the first time in 2010.

Africa?s hopes of hosting the World Cup in 2010 were put on hold after the continent became the victim of a second soccer stadium tragedy in less than a month.

FIFA announced last night that that the 2010 World Cup will be held in Africa for the first time.

South Africa are delaying a bid to stage the 2010 World Cup until FIFA confirm the finals will be staged somewhere in Africa.

Morocco plans to bid to stage the 2010 World Cup finals, its fourth attempt to secure soccer's showcase event, the country's sports minister has said.

African Games officials want to harmonise international sporting calendars to ensure their top athletes do not have to choose between lucrative overseas meetings and the continent's top event.

The Japanese Football Association (JFA) has invited FIFA president Sepp Blatter to Tokyo to discuss next year's Confederations Cup following an apology from world soccer's governing body over its proposal for the tournament.

Moroccan officials said they felt betrayed on Thursday after falling out in the first round of voting to stage the 2006 World Cup ? and then faced further humiliation when their support for South Africa failed to bring the tournament to the continent.

England World Cup 2006 bid officials have spoken of their extreme disappointment at their second round exit during today?s FIFA executive committee vote.