MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

FIFA Would welcome Argentine bid to host World Cup 2014

FIFA President Jospeh Blatter, hosting a press conference prior to the Argentina-Egypt game,
said that FIFA would 'welcome'a bid from Argentina to host the 2014 World Cup.

'We are fairly certain that the World Cup will be held in South America and Argentina proved in 1978 and again in 2001 with the World Youth Championships that they are very capable of organizing and hosting a major International event', said Mr Blatter.

However he also insisted that a joint bid by Argentina & Chile would not receive as high a priority as a bid by one Country to host the tournment.

"We prefer solo bids, but will listen to joint hosting only if no-one comes forward with a firm bid on their own, he told journalists in Enschede.'

Currently it is anticipated that Brazil will bid to host the World Cup of 2014 but Mr Blatter confirmed that to date no bids had ben received.

Talk of a joint bid by Argentina and Chile was not received with much enthusiasm by Argentina journalists covering the World Youth Championships in Holland.

Mauricio Maccuici of the Panfootball magazine said, ýes we are neighbours but I would not say that we are very friendly neighbours'.