Brazil Drops Bid for 2006 World Cup

With Brazil out of the running, the race to host the 2006 World Cup is between Africa and Europe.

And it looks like Africa--South Africa, specifically--has the upper hand after Brazil threw its support behind that bid Monday.

In exchange for Brazil’s support, South Africa will back Brazil’s bid for the 2010 World Cup.

“Certainly we are very happy that there is now a single focus between Africa and Europe and not a third continent . . .” South Africa bid executive officer Danny Jordaan said. “Now it’s a question of whether FIFA gives Europe 10 World Cups and nothing to Africa.”

FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, has awarded nine of the 15 World Cups to European nations.

On Thursday, the FIFA’s 24-member executive committee will choose the site of the 2006 World Cup. Also in the running are England, Germany and Morocco.