All six national associations that had expressed their preliminary interest in hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ - Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia - have formally confirmed their status as Official Bidders for FIFA’s flagship event, which will be held for the first time in Africa.

The deadline for national associations to formally confirm their intention to stage the world's premier football competition was 31 May 2003. Egypt was the first country to do so, submitting its documentation on 21 May, with Morocco following suit on 25 May, Nigeria on 27 May, and with three nations - Libya, South Africa and Tunisia - all waiting until 30 May to officially provide their confirmation.

“I am thrilled that we have six candidates formally confirmed as Official Bidders for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™,” said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. “As it will be the first FIFA World Cup™ to be staged in Africa, it will no doubt be a momentous occasion and an exciting tournament.”

The six associations now have until 30 September 2003 to present their official bid files to the FIFA general secretariat. In the months that follow, FIFA will inspect each prospective host country and draft a report to be presented to the Executive Committee in April 2004, one month prior to the final designation of the host national association for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Source: Fifa.com