No doubts over Egypt's hosting of U-20 World Cup

Hatem Maher
2 Min Read

CAIRO: FIFA do not intend to deprive Egypt of hosting the 2009 U-20 World Cup, organizing committee vice-president Amr Wahbi said on Saturday.

FIFA vice-president Jack Warner had recently told BBC Sport that if the world governing body s requirements are not met by Egypt then the World Cup destination would be switched.

A FIFA delegation had expressed concerns about the state of several stadiums after carrying out their inspection.

Yes, there are some problems over the hosting stadiums, Wahbi told FilGoal.com.

FIFA s inspection team has voiced objections to the state of seven stadiums out of eight set to host World Cup games.

They nonetheless lauded Mubarak Stadium in Alexandria.

All the problems are solvable and won t derail FIFA s trust in Egypt s ability to stage the U-20 World Cup, he added.

Egypt has sufficient experience in hosting big events. The Pharaohs hosting of the 1997 U-17 World Cup was successful.

The country also hosted four African Nation Cups in 1959, 1974, 1986 and 2006.

Wahbi revealed that FIFA president Sepp Blatter is confident that Egypt s facilities are ready to host big events.

Blatter told Egyptian Football Association President Samir Zaher that he was sure Egypt would successfully host the U-20 World Cup.

Wahbi added that the tournament may kick off two weeks later than scheduled to allow Egypt accomplish its preparations.

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