Algerians offer support for Morocco’s World Cup bid

Algerians offer support for Morocco’s World Cup bid
Morocco winners of the 2018 CHAN Final football match between Morocco and Nigeria at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca, Morocco on 04 February 2018 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Friday Apr 06, 2018. 09:30

Algeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports El Hadi Ould Ali has announced his country's official support for Morocco's bid to host the World Cup in 2026.

Ali made the statement at the weekend on a working visit to the province of El Bayadh, south of Algeria.

"The decision of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to support the candidacy of Morocco to host the 2026 world cup finals will be proudly fulfilled," he told reporters.

The Algerian support was largely welcomed on social media by Algerian and Moroccan football fans, despite it coming amid political tensions and a fierce rivalry between the two North African countries.

According to reports, legends such as Samuel Eto'o, Didier Drogba, El Hadji Diouf and former Algerian football star Lakhdar Belloumi, were asked to be ambassadors for the Moroccan bid.

Belloumi was quoted by Jeune Afrique magazine that he was happy to accept the role, saying he believed all Algerians will hope that Morocco wins the bid to host a great football event.

Meanwhile, the hosts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be decided in Russia on June 13.




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