South Africa is interested in hosting the Club World Cup in December, after Japan resigned from the venue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reported the president of the South African soccer federation, Danny Jordaan.
Jordaan told The Associated Press that he will meet with FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura in Lagos, Nigeria this week to receive the requirements that a South African bid must meet with the governing body to host the event in which seven compete. clubs.
The Club World Cup will be entertained by European champion Chelsea and the other continental monarchs, including the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores and the CONCACAF Champions League. The host country’s domestic tournament champion also receives a spot.
The South African federation will need to receive government approval to set up the tournament, and a meeting with the sports minister is scheduled, Jordaan said.
“We will know our position at the end of the week,” he said.
FIFA announced last week that Japan withdrew fearing that the tournament could lead to an increase in coronavirus infections in a country that recently hosted the Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
South Africa has many high-level stadiums that were built or renovated for the 2010 World Cup, but any ambition to host the Club World Cup will depend on its own epidemiological situation due to the pandemic. AP (HN)