| Brazil in running for 2006 World Cup | 
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Brazil is a candidate to hold the 2006 World Cup, local media reported Friday.
Ricardo Teixeira, president of the Brazilian Soccer Confederation, was quoted as saying Brazil would compete with England, Germany and South Africa to hold the Cup. No one was available at the confederation to confirm the report.
The confederation had withheld the announcement until now. Earlier this week, Brazilian Sports Minister Pele said in Hong Kong he would support an African candidacy unless Brazil joined the bidding.
FIFA, soccer's governing body, will decide the site of the 2006 Cup in two years. This year's tournament is in France, and the 2002 Cup will be held jointly by Japan and South Korea.
Brazil, a four-time World Cup champion, was host of the tournament in 1950, when it was upset in the final by Uruguay.
Brazilians bid for the Cup again in 1986 but lost to Mexico.
