Morocco in line to host FIFA Club W. Cup

Morocco are set to become the first African hosts of the FIFA Club World Cup after three rivals withdrew from the bidding battle for the 2013 and 2014 tournaments. South Africa, who pipped Morocco for the right to stage the 2010 World Cup, Iran and previous Club World Cup hosts United Arab Emirates expressed interest in succeeding 2011 and 2012 hosts Japan. But organisers FIFA told AFP by email Monday that “Morocco is the remaining member association in the process” and that a decision concerning the 2013 and 2014 tournaments will be made during December. Japan have been hosts four times, United Arab Emirates twice and Brazil once of the year-end event that brings together the six regional champions plus a club from the home country. African clubs struggled to make an impact until last December when TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo stunned Internacional of Brazil before losing to Inter Milan of Italy in the final.