Why CAF backs Morocco’s World Cup bid

In more than 100 years, only one president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has managed to bring the Fifa World Cup to Africa – Issa Hayatou, when South Africa was awarded hosting rights in 2010.

Now, with Morocco having launched a joint bid for the world’s biggest sporting event alongside Iberian nations Portugal and Spain, Patrice Motsepe could leave his own legacy.



Decision taken

The South African mining mogul explains that Egypt also approached him about a possible bid, but they instead decided to offer backing to Morocco to bring it home.

"I think it's very important, and, as I said the first time when Morocco publicly announced its candidature, I had already been approached by Egypt, and there were many other discussions, but the decision taken by the CAF exco last week is the right decision," said Motsepe.

"There've been lots of discussions going on over an extended period of time, and we are absolutely satisfied that [we came to a decision].

"We have to engage and start lobbying very soon because, if you keep postponing and delaying, the chances of an African nation, once more hosting the World Cup, becomes very remote."



Challenging bid

With CAF having 54 members and Spain and Portugal expected to pull the majority of UEFA’s 55 members, this could be a difficult bid to beat. Motsepe revealed that CAF decided to adopt this as an African bid.

"For me, as president of CAF, my focus is to make sure that Africa is united behind a candidate that enjoys the confidence and trust of the continent," he added.

"The executive committee – the highest decision-making body of CAF – made the decision and announcement that we are now converting the bid of Morocco to become the bid of the African continent."