Algeria’s best football player of all time Lakhdar Belloumi has reportedly been offered to be the 2026 World Cup ambassador for Morocco, reports Wednesday TSA quoting the Algerian TV channel Ennahar. Belloumi who was a former football player and manager has refused the Kingdom’s proposal at the begining and requested to get his country's blessing before giving his final word.
«The republic’s presidency has accepted the Moroccan request and endorsed the star’s wish to be the ambassador for of the country’s bid», said the same source.
Days before Algeria formally accepted Morocco’s offer for Belloumi, he told the same source : «I refused Morocco’s offer after discussing that with Algerian officials. They told me that it was important to avoid exploitation».
«Morocco offered a huge sum of money, but I refused out of respect for my country. What bothers me the most is that in Algeria no one thinks of me», he argued.
Algeria officially supports Morocco’s bid to host the 2026 World Cup, announced Ennahar on Wednesday.