Leading Article: A South African win

THE RACE to win the right to host the 2006 World Cup is hotting up. Yesterday saw the five bidding nations, including England, put their case to Fifa, soccer's governing body. Obviously, it would be wonderful to have all the excitement (and the associated revenue) coming home to the sport's birthplace. But, assuming its game plan is up to scratch, the prize should go to South Africa. The African continent has never hosted the tournament; a decision in its favour would be a huge boost for the sport there, together with a recognition of the strides made by such vibrant teams as Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa itself. It would also aid the development of the post-apartheid nation, and serve as an incentive to get its notorious crime rate down.

But if Fifa decides the South Africa infrastructure is too rudimentary, let's hope for an English victory - no doubt after going into extra time against our German opponents.