Morocco in line to host Fifa Club World Cup

The Moroccan city of Tangiers hosted the Champions Trophy, the traditional curtain-raiser to the French league, between victors Marseille and Lille in July

Morocco is set to become the first African nation to host the Fifa Club World Cup after being left as the sole bidder for the 2013 and 2014 events.

Fifa says only Morocco met Saturday's deadline after South Africa, Iran and the United Arab Emirates withdrew bids.

"Morocco is the [sole] remaining member and Fifa will now review all relevant paperwork before making a decision in December," Fifa told the BBC.

After Brazil first hosted the event in 2000, Asia has staged the tournament.

Should Morocco be confirmed as the tournament hosts later this year, the Fifa Club World Cup could prove a fine dress rehearsal ahead of staging the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

The North African nation was also recently selected as the host of Africa's final round of Olympic qualifying, which is also being called Africa's maiden Under-23 Championship.

Earlier this year, the city of Tangiers hosted the Champions Trophy match which opens the French season as Marseille and Lille clashed in July.

Morocco has attempted to host the World Cup on four separate occasions but has always lost out - most notably when South Africa was selected to host the 2010 finals.

The Club World Cup includes the champion club of each of Fifa's six continental confederations plus the host nation's champion.

Japan will host the 2011 and 2012 editions, after the UAE did so in 2009 and 2010.

At last year's competition, Congolese side TP Mazembe made history by becoming the first African side to reach the final, where they lost to Italy's Inter Milan.