LAHORE: A three-member football delegation of Morocco, in its campaign to get the hosting rights for the FIFA World Cup-2026, has asked the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) for a vote in its favour when FIFA decides the host in Moscow, Russia on June 13, just a day before the start of the World Cup-2018 there.

The high-level delegation of Morocco arrived in Lahore and met President PFF Syed Faisal Salat Hayat in the FIFA House.

The delegates, in a briefing, disclosed their plans and the facilities to host the World Cup.

FIFA decision on World Cup 2026 on June 13

Later, the Moroccon delegation and PFF president Faisal Saleh Hayat addressed a joint press conference here on Saturday. “The Morocco delegation has formally requested PFF to support their bid for World Cup 2026. The guests presented their case in a meeting,” the PFF president said.

The bid process to host World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be held in FIFA Congress in Moscow on June 13, just a day before the start of the Mega Event.

Canada, Mexico and America are keen for holding the event jointly while the Morocco campaign is also in full swing and Morocco Federation is in touch with other countries to convince them for support.

The delegation comprises member of the Support Committee Abderrahim Kadmiri, Ambassador Morocco 2026 Hicham El Guerouj, CEO of the Morocco Bid 2026 Hicham Al Amrani. Faisal said that Morocco was a brotherly country and Pakistan welcome its visit. Faisal said that Pakistan have cordial relations with the football family of Morocco and was ready to play a positive role in the World Football Community.

The Moroccan Amba­ssador Mohamed Karmo­une, in his speech, said: “We are thankful for the warm welcome by PFF, Pakistan is a respected member of FIFA and it is important for us to get favours of all brotherly countries. After our campaign for hosting, hopefully we will be able to convince the world for support.

“Football has become a source of friendship and friendship between the two countries is remarkable,” the Morocco ambassador to Pakistan said.

“We are determined to fulfill the dream of hosting the World Cup,” a member of the Support Committee Abderrahim Kadmiri said and added “our message is peace through football.”

Delegation also included Ambassador of Sports Morocco 2026 Hicham El Guerouj who presented his views on holding the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Morocco will be a wonderful experience for the rest of the world.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2018