Morocco deserves hosting World Cup, Uruguayan diplomat says

Morocco is the best qualified nation in Africa to host the 2006 World Cup finals, Morocco's honorary consul in Uruguay said.

If FIFA (world football's governing body) decides to hold the 2006 World Cup in Africa, Morocco is the best African nation to host the event, Juan Pedro Damiani said.

Damiani, who conferred Wednesday in Rabat with Moroccan Secretary of State for Cooperation Aicha Belarbi, said Morocco's economic and security assets make of it the best candidate.

Morocco is campaigning against South Africa, Brazil, England and Germany to host the planetary competition.

A FIFA delegation that inspected last week Morocco's sports, road and telecommunications facilities said it was very impressed with the Moroccan bid.

FIFA is to select the host country next July.