Algerian Minister of Sports El Hadi Ould Ali has confirmed that his country endorses neighbouring Morocco's bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"Supporting Morocco's bid is a decision of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and we are very proudly committed to fulfil it," Ould Ali told reporters on Sunday.
Several days ago, the Algerian iconic ex-footballer Lakhder Belloumi had announced that he will be ambassador for Morocco's 2026 World Cup bid, reports Xinhua news agency.
Belloumi was reluctant to accept the offer of Morocco due to diplomatic tension between Algiers and Rabat, but the Algerian government has finally given him the green light for this mission.
Morocco has already chosen several "African Ballon d'Or" winners, including Samuel Eto'o, Didier Drogba and El Hadji Diouf to be ambassadors for the bid.
Local media also reported that Morocco contacted Egyptian star of Liverpool, Mohamed Salah, and Portuguese star of Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo, to join its list of ambassadors and increase its chances to win the bid for the 2026 World Cup.
--IANS
ajb/bg
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