Fierce rivals Egypt and Algeria will meet in a playoff in Sudan if they finish level at the top of their World Cup qualifying group, FIFA said today. The venue, which was favoured by the Egyptians, was chosen at a draw at FIFA headquarters, soccer's governing body said.

Algeria had asked to play in Tunisia. Algeria, who last qualified for the World Cup in 1986, lead African Group C with 13 points, three ahead of African champions Egypt, who despite being a dominant force on the continent have not qualified since 1990.

The two meet in their final group game in Cairo on Saturday, where a two-goal win for Egypt would leave the sides level on points, goal difference, goals scored and head-to-head record. "With just such a possibility in mind, and in the interests of fair play, FIFA held a draw at its Zurich HQ today to decide the venue of the hypothetical decider," FIFA said in a statement.

Only the winners of the group will qualify for the World Cup finals in South Africa next year. Bad feeling between the two sides stretches back to a World Cup qualifier 20 years ago in Cairo, when Egypt won 1-0 to guarantee a place at the Italy finals. Players clashed on the field after the game and the Egyptian team doctor was partially blinded during the trouble. Egypt then threatened to pull out of the following year's African Nations Cup in Algeria. They eventually sent a B team and lost all three group games. - Reuters