ALGIERS, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Algerian Minister of Sports, El Hadi Ould Ali, on Sunday confirmed that his country endorses neighboring Morocco's bid to host 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"Supporting Morocco's bid is a decision of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and we are very proudly committed to fulfill it," Ould Ali told reporters.
Days ago, the Algerian iconic ex-footballer Lakhder Belloumi announced that he will be ambassador for Morocco's 2026 World Cup bid.
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 chances to win the bid for 2026 World Cup.