Prince Moulay Rachid to chair committee of Morocco's candidacy to host 2006 soccer World Cup

King Mohammed VI has entrusted to his younger brother prince Moulay Rachid the chairmanship of the national committee of Morocco's candidacy to host the 2006 soccer World Cup, it was officially announced in Rabat this Saturday.

A statement by the royal household, protocol and chancellery also said the sovereign appointed Driss Benhima as deputy chairman of the committee.

Morocco is competing with fellow African nation South Africa, as well as Germany, England and Brazil to host the World Cup. The race will actually be between Morocco and South Africa, as FIFA (world football governing board) wants an African country to host the World Cup. FIFA is to select a winner next July 6.

This is the third time that Morocco has bid to hosting the World Cup. The two previous bids (1994, 1998) were lost to the USA and France.