The South African Football Association (SAFA) has rescinded its support to Morocco’s 2026 World Cup bid, claiming that it has not decided whether to support the African bid or the North American joint bid.

This comes after recent reports that quoted South Africa’s Minister of Sport and Recreation, Tokozile Xasa stating that her government was against the declaration made by football body without parliament approval.

In a statement, SAFA has now indicated that the decision on whom to support is for the National Executive Committee,denying earlier declaration made by president Danny Jordaan who said  he would back the Moroccan bid.

“We have received the presentation from the USA bid during the COSAFA Congress in Johannesburg which was presented by the US bid delegation led by the FA President Sunil Gulati.

“SAFA also received a presentation on the Morocco bid by the bid Ambassadors, Joseph-Antoine Bell of Cameroon and former Senegal international El Hadji Diouf.

“SAFA wants to reiterate that no decision has been taken at this stage on the matter on who to support,” reads part of the statement.

South Africa and Morocco have had strained relations since the North African country withdrew its ambassador from Pretoria in 2004 when Johannesburg recognised the independence of Western Sahara.

In April, a Moroccan delegation comprising of celebrated former Senegal and Liverpool striker El Hadji Diouf and former Cameroonian goalkeeper Joseph-Antoine Bell visited Safa House to lobby for support.

Morocco is competing against the Americans to co-host the 48-team tournament. Up to 207 FIFA member federations will vote at their congress on the eve of the World Cup in Russia