Akiga says Nigeria are ready

Fifa on Monday announced the list of six countries that have declared an interest to hold the tournament, which will be held in Africa for the first time.

The deadline for national associations to express their intention to stage the world's premier football competition was 31 December, with Nigeria leaving it to the eleventh hour before announcing their wish to host the event.

Tunisia also left it late before officially declaring an interest.

Africa's bids

Egypt Libya Nigeria Morocco South Africa Tunisia

South Africa, who failed by the slimmest of margins to host the 2006 World Cup, were the first to register their desire to host the event back in November.

Nigeria's Sport's Minister Steven Akiga said at the World Cup in Japan that his country wanted to hold the 2010 event.

His comments were considered to be more to do with wishful thinking than reality.

But the country, the most populous in Africa, has now taken the first step towards hosting the tournament.

The decision to invite bids only from Africa, and in doing so to begin the process of rotating the World Cup between the continents, was confirmed by Fifa in September.

Bid timetable

31/01/03 - Fifa supplies "List of Requirements" 31/04/03 - Bidders must confirm intent 31/08/03 - Bids presented to Fifa April 04 - Fifa presents inspection report May/June 04 - Host named

The six bidders will receive the official List of Requirements by the end of the month, and have until 30 April 2003 to formally confirm or withdraw their declaration of interest.

Those confirming their bid will then have until 31 August 2003 to present their bid to Fifa.

The governing body will then inspect each country and report to the Executive Committee in April 2004, who will make their final decision a month later.