I’ve always enjoyed the World Cup, one of the reasons being that it’s like a world war without the gunfire. I may have spoken too soon, though, as Egypt and Algeria are coming to blows — Egypt has even recalled its ambassador — over the three-match qualifier earlier this month in which Algeria took the last spot for an African team. Reuters explains:

“Soccer’s governing body FIFA began an investigation after Egyptian fans stoned Algeria’s national team on arrival for the Cairo leg, hurting three players. Scuffles after that match injured 20 Algerians.

In response Algerians stoned some buses full of Egyptian fans in Khartoum, causing about 20 minor injuries, Egypt’s health ministry said. However, Sudan’s hospitals reported no injuries or deaths after the match.

Press from both nations have reported stories of murder and attacks. These led to violence in both capitals with 32 demonstrators injured in clashes with police outside Algeria’s Cairo embassy, and millions of dollars’ of damage inflicted on ransacked Egyptian businesses in Algiers.

The Egyptian media reports of violence in Sudan also angered close ally Khartoum which summoned Cairo’s ambassador to protest.”

However, Sudan is offering to mediate the dispute. But wait — Moammar Gadhafi is stepping in, as if the row could get any nuttier. “As chairman of the African Union, the Guide of the Revolution (Gathafi) is going to work to bridge the gulf that has opened up between Egypt and Algeria,” Libya’s official JANA news agency reported.

(Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)