Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia are the six
national associations to have formally declared an interest in hosting the event, the first time it will be held in Africa.
The deadline to submit bids was December 31, with both Nigeria and Tunisia leaving it until the last minute and putting in a bid on December 30.
Africa is the first continent to benefit from FIFA's new rotation policy for its premier event.
The six associations will receive the updated List of Requirements by January 31, and have until April 30 to formally confirm or withdraw
their declaration of interest.
Those national associations confirming their bid will then have until
August 31 to present their bid documents to FIFA.
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, about a month before the final designation of the host national association.
