Morocco's odds to host World Cup are strong, Algeria says

Algeria said Morocco has strong odds to host the 2006 World Cup Finals.

"Morocco has strong odds to win the bid to host the World Cup, and Algeria backs this historic initiative by the Moroccans," Algerian Youth and Sports Minister Abdelmalek Sellal told the press before leaving Morocco.

Sellal attended Sunday in Casablanca a match for the African Super Cup between Morocco's Raja Casablanca and Cote D'Ivoire's Africa Sport. The Cup was gleaned by Raja after a 2-0 win.

The Algerian minister said he conferred with Moroccan officials on ongoing preparations for hosting the event and the Arab backing to Morocco's candidacy.

Morocco is campaigning against South Africa, Brazil, England and Germany to host the planetary event. The host country will be selected next July by the FIFA governing board.