Should the offer be accepted?

Zimbabwe FA chief Leo Mugabe says he will approach South Africa in the next few days about staging a joint bid.

The country will already be hosting the 2003 cricket World Cup with South Africa, and the lessons learned from that could make 2010 work very well.

As Japan and Korea showed, co-hosting can work well, although Fifa are said to be unfavourable towards the possibility of it happening again.

But the country had the 2000 African Nations Cup taken away by Caf because it could not convince African football's governing body that it would have stadiums ready in time.

Should Zimbabwe be given another chance?

Or would a joint bid do more harm than good to SA's cause?

What do you think of Zimbabwe's proposal?

No, this will not work, Zimbabwe should feed there country before even thinking about hosting the world's greatest event. And who said that South Africa are going to host the World Cup in 2010? Morocco will win the bid and show the whole of africa how to host a sucsessful World Cup.
Akram, Morocco

Zimbabwe ought to focus on improving their political situation and not derail Africa's best chance to host the World Cup.
Chidi Asogwa, usa

I think Zimbabwe trying to co-host would hurt SA's chances of winning. This is a country that has on several times failed to host or even qualify for the much smaller ANC. Zimbabwe should wake up and smell the roses.
theYemster, Nigerian in Boston

No way. We don't want to be losing out again on hosting the tournament.
Nikesh, South Africa

Its a good idea because it will enlighten the world about Zimbabwe. Most of what is said about the country is only political. There is a brighter side about the country which is not talked about, the world will be surprised to learn this.
Raphael Kashiri, UK

Its a good idea that they host with SA. Zimbabwe's situation will have changed by 2010. So lets not judge the future with what is happening now. Sports unites the world, thats the essence isnt it?
Jerry Jaya, UK

If a lousy cricket team wouldn't go to Zimbabwe, you think the world's 32 best football teams will?
Robert Langdon, Australia

We should be allowed to host the the World Cup. The World Cup is not for Mugabe or Tsvangirai, it is for those who love the games, the fans, us. If you have hatred for Zimbabwe, let it be political or racial, not "sportial". The World Cup is a World Cup for all countries of the world - it's not a rich countries' World Cup. Iraq and Iran - and Afghanistan - should be allowed to host as long as there is guaranteed security.
Rilla, USA, Zimbabwe

Let's put politics aside when talking sports. If we mix the two, Fifa's goal of developing soccer in developing countries will not be achieved. The most important thing is to see if Zimbabwe has the needed facilities to be able to co-host the World Cup. Personal conflicts between countries should not be entertained as even Korea and Japan whose successifully hosted the past World Cup has also enemies.
Majula Manyama, Tanzania

Zimbabawe should begin by hosting the Cosafa Cup. Then they should try and qualify for the African Cup of Nations before talking about the World Cup. South Africa should not weaken their bid by trying to co-host with Zimbabwe.
Gbenga Oyeyemi, USA

This is such a joke. I have lived in Zimbabwe; Rufaro stadium is not near world class, the country is in economic ruins, the local football authority has a long standing reputation for corruption. The country has a dismally low world ranking and would lose every game 12-0 a la Saudia Arabia.
Gil, USA

People should seperate politics from sport. Zimbabwe should be supported in it's bid to co-host the World Cup.
Baba VaTaku, Zimbabwe/UK

A lovely and potentially interesting idea that could help bring the region to the world in a new and positive way. However with the present instability the a lot of asssurances would be needed from both governments and interested parties, a long shot in my view.
Lester Dzimunwe, Zimbabwe

The only reason why Zimbabwe should forget about bidding is that as a country we do not have the money. I do not subscribe to all the comments based on political problems and Mugabe-tyranny.

I think the worst thing that has happened to this world politically is not Zimbabwe or Mugabe. If the country thinks it can pull it off then they should apply and Fifa should consider them according to their guidelines. If they qualify I say why not? Who knows where Mugabe/Zimbabwe will be in 2010? Think of the Southern African fans. It's all about the fans, this would open up the sport to everyone in the region. In fact I think Botswana should join the bid and maybe even a Namibia.
CKay, USA

Stop talking about politics. Zimbabwe have talented players, why not let them co-host the World Cup? You can talk about the state of the grounds and the like, but you have no right to discuss Zimbabwean politics in a football forum.
Brian, Zimbabwe

What a joke! Zimbabwe can approach South Africa on the matter, but it's not going to happen. Actually the involvement of Zimbabwe might jeopardise South Africa's bid.
Qeqesha, Zimbo in USA

With all that it is happening in Zimbambwe, Mugabe has more to straighten up with his people than to think about co-hosting a 2010 World Cup. Shame on Mugabe and his entourage.
Mudila K , Bellflower-USA

Does anyone really think South Africa would jeopardise their chances by bringing Zimbabwe into the bid?
Stuart Lye, UK

This is a joke of course. The present government could not organise a beer party in a brewery, what chance of them getting their act together to co host the World Cup?
John Mackenzie., UK

Those who are talking about infrastructure are correct. We should consider the country's ability to hold this kind of event. If Zimbabwe has the infrastructure to co-host the World Cup, then I fully support them.
Gonansa, Uganda

Of course Zimbabwe should be allowed to co-host the World Cup. If China, which has a worse human rights record than most countries in the world, is allowed to host the Olympics, why can't Zimbabwe host the World Cup? And those who talk about the economy should remember that hosting international tournaments does bring big benefits! Investors around the world get to know that the country exists, officials and players bring in foriegn currency, multi-national sponsors bring advertising revenue, international broadcasters pay large sums of money to local stations to broadcast the matches and jobs are created around the venues - just look at Manchester after the recent Commonwealth games! If managed well, Zimbabwe can benefit a lot economically. And anyway by 2010 Mugabe will probably be gone!
Amos Mulamba, Manchester, UK

Why not? Zimbabwe should definately be allowed to co-host the events. It would surely attract more spectators than it did in Korea (empty stadiums), Japan, and the USA where their sport commentators always find it necessary to bash football (soccer). Let the game be played where people love it.
Rukara, Rwanda

This is a joke right? Mugabe must be laughing hysterically. This is another smoke and mirror device to deflect the real problem - him. Nonetheless, if Harare gets to be the venue, then we should look at North Korea, Myanmar, Cuba, and the rest of the world's garden spots to host international games.
Ian, USA

Shame on BBC for even bringing up this discussion! I bet the next issue to discuss will be '2012 Iraq/Iran Olympics.'
Alaba Adelakun, Nigeria/USA

You must be joking. Zim to host the World Cup? I won't be surprised if they get it. I will be at Barbourfields Stadium for the first game.
Darmesh, Canada

When Zimbabwe hosted the All Africa Games, it was taken as an opportunity for many of the sporting elite to line their own pockets in the process of developing facilities. Leo Mugabe's own company was awarded many of the technical services contracts for the swimming facility and the two hockey pitches, although all items were sub-contracted out and significant mark-ups added to the final figures.

Are you sure it's the World Cup Zimbabwe wants to co-host with SA? Where would the money come from? And with the West angry at Mughabe over his farms redistribution policies, you can forget any international loans to finance such an event. And regionally, is this something the rest of Africa would/should support?

I would prefer to see Zimbabwe focusing on fixing its domestic problems rather than embarking on something it cannot possibly afford. And if it's really thirsty to host a soccer event, it should make another run for the Nations Cup first and use it as a test run for bigger tournaments in the future.
Aliyu Mustapha, Washington, DC, USA

This is the most ludicrous thing that I have ever heard of! Not only did they get the Africa Cup of Nations taken away from them in 2000, they not do not have the infrastructure or the money to put up such a bid. To make matters worse, settling in the national stadium in Harare, where a match would have to be held, has caused a crack in the structure that played into their loss of ACN. It would be structurally unsafe to do such a thing.
Zimbo, USA

Why not? Why did you first of all ask this question? Zimbabwe, like any other nation that is qualified, should apply to co-host. Many other nations will still apply. Why be so particular with Zimbabwe? You guys in Britain have a secret agenda. Leave them alone.
Claude Boma, USA

Zimba...what? Is this some kind of a sick joke or what? I'd bin any such bid if i was the head of Fifa. How could the even have the guts to propose such bid? If such a request is granted, then they could also grant Afganistan a bid to host by 2014, perhaps with Pakistan.
Ugo, UK

To be honest if Zimbabwe should not get involved for its political outlook, which I agree with, then tell me why should South Africa get to hold such an event. Both Zimbabwean and South African leaders are in bed together, the fact that they have sat there and let Mugabe get away with what he has with out so much as a condemnation, then just as we should not get it neither should they.
Agony, Zimbabwe

Typical Zimbabwe government pipe dream. These people live in a fantasy world. What Zimbabwe needs is bread, not circuses. Goes to show how out of touch Zim officials are.
Sean, USA

Looking at it from this point of view it is hard to see it happening, but lets hope eight years from now today's hardships would be but a distant memory. An event such as this would only be nothing but positive on a nations people who really have suffered enough. A gift from the international community who have done little to nothing for us anyway.
Rob Thomas, Zimbabwe

The country has enough problems as it is and it is not advisable to co-host the World Cup. They should concentrate on more pressing issued like trying to revive its economy. We all know that it will be another money making scam with no accountability.
Ayodele Odumade, United Kingdom

The World Cup is more than football - it also represents humanity. The biggest sporting event in the World should only go to a country where people can live in harmony.
Fela Akoni, UK

Is this some type of joke? Ethnic cleansing going on under our noses with nothing being done about it and Zimbabwe think they have an international standing that allows them to think that they can carry on with world affairs regardless of their policies! What was good for South Afica in the 70's and 80's is good for Zimbabwe today. Isolation is long overdue.
Anon

Certainly not, with Madman Mugabe around, it would be a total disgrace to the football fraternity. If no one country in Africa would be able to host the greatest fiesta in world sport, then I suggest another continent should be given the chance. Co-hosting cannot work in Africa.
Carruthers Kwaku Dzramedo, Ghana

Zimbabwe should spend its money on food, not football.
Clifford Beckett, South Africa