Egypt target 2010

Cairo has its sights on the 2010 World Cup final

They've just won the right to host the African Cup of Nations in 2006, but Egypt aren't finished there...

Egypt is celebrating this week after it won the right to host the 2006 African Cup of Nations.

They beat off competition from Libya, Algeria and the Ivory Coast to secure Africa's premier tournament for a record fourth time.

And there's another reason to celebrate - for the first time Caf are planning to use the tournament to decide the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, and Egypt are already making plans to bid for the big one.

The last time Egypt hosted the Cup of Nations was in 1986

Hisham Azmi was instrumental in the Egyptian FA's successful bid. But he admitted that football was not the only factor under consideration.

"Some of the other countries bidding, like the Ivory Coast, have problems with their political situation" he said.

"I think that out of all the countries competing Egypt has the best infrastructure and the most stable situation".

Mr Azmi told World Football that he agreed with Caf's decision to use the Cup of Nations to decide the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup.

"I believe its quite right, because otherwise the qualification process is very long" he said.

"Playing qualifiers along with their club careers players makes players too tired when they reach the World Cup, as we saw in Japan and Korea in the summer. I think it's a very wise decision".

Caf delegates debating the decision

And Egypt aren't finished there. Mr Azmi told World Football that they plan to use their Cup of Nations success as the platform for a bid for the World Cup in 2010.

"Caf requested four cities and four stadiums to host the Cup of Nations. Our bid allows for eight cities and eight stadiums. It is a demonstration that we will be bidding for 2010. 2006 is only the entrée of the menu".

You can hear all of Alan Green's interview with Hisham Azmi on World Football on Saturday 26 October. Use the audio link on the front page.