By Durosimi Thomas BBC Sport, Tunis

Tunisian fans have a passion for football

Tunisia's sports minister Abderrahim Zouari has said there are 'early signals' that their plan to co-host the 2010 World Cup finals with Libya could win Fifa's approval.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has said the world football governing body would not entertain any joint bids for the 2010 finals.

But Zouari is convinced that the Tunisia/Libya bid has won approval from people that have examined their proposal.

"Our joint bid with Libya has started winning," Zouari told the BBC Sport website.

"I have received a lot of possible comments after our bid presentation in Zurich.

"We have put our case before Fifa to stage the event and it is now up to the executive committee to see things for themselves during the inspection visit."

Both countries have named nine venues for the event - four in Tunisia and the rest in Libya.

Tunisia have chosen two stadia in Tunis and one each in Sfax and Sousse, while Libya intends to use grounds in Tripoli, Benghazi, Sabrata, Sirte and Misrata.

The sports minister was joined by the Tunisian Football Federation president Hammouda Ben Ammar at a reception to promote the bid at the El Menzah Stadium on Wednesday, after a friendly against Japan.