ZURICH, Oct 25: The host of the 2009 under-17 World Cup was unclear Friday after Nigeria said it could not afford the event and Mexico offered to step in.

FIFA said in a statement Friday that Nigeria “is no longer in a position to provide its support for the organization of the tournament.”

FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer, who represents the CONCACAF region, said Mexico is ready if needed.

“They have offered themselves and we are very proud of the fact,” Blazer said. “They have a very good and ready infrastructure.”

The world body must now decide whether to help finance Nigeria or look elsewhere.

Mexico is scheduled to host the 24-team tournament in 2011.

Nigerian government and football officials came to FIFA headquarters in Zurich this week to explain their situation. The country is facing costs of US$30 million (euro23.6 million) to prepare for the tournament, scheduled for Oct. 24-Nov. 15.

Six cities are in line to stage matches but all need work to upgrade stadiums and infrastructure.

Blazer said FIFA president Sepp Blatter had committed to holding a youth World Cup in Africa.

“I think he (Blatter) is going to continue to work to see whether they can find an appropriate alternative there first,” Blazer said.— AP