L'AQUILA, Italy, July 10, 2009

Obama Hints at World Cup Appearance

President Says "Goal" is to Attend Soccer Event, Although White House says No Decision has Been Made

  • President Barack Obama greets South African President Jacob Zuma, right, Friday, July 10, 2009, during the G8 Summit in L'Aquila, Italy. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

    President Barack Obama greets South African President Jacob Zuma, right, Friday, July 10, 2009, during the G8 Summit in L'Aquila, Italy. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)  (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

  • Photo Essay Obama In Italy

    President Obama arrived in Italy to attend the G8 summit

(AP)  President Barack Obama is hinting he'll attend next year's World Cup championship in South Africa.

After a photograph with South African President Jacob Zuma on Friday, a reporter asked Obama if he'll attend the matches. "That's my goal," Obama replied.

The White House has said Obama hadn't made a decision if he'd attend the event. But Friday, Obama suggested he wants to. After answering the question, the U.S. president playfully asked, "Did you get that?"

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has invited Obama to the World Cup opening ceremony and has said Obama will try to make it. The White House said Obama has agreed to meet with the head of FIFA, the governing body of the sport, about the World Cup.


© MMIX The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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by mjvwsr July 10, 2009 2:14 PM EDT
and this will cost me how much?
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