May 30, 2008

AUSTRALIA will "definitely" stage the World Cup finals in the future but the country is unlikely to host the tournament before 2022, Sepp Blatter said on the opening night of the FIFA Congress in Sydney.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy have advocated Australia as a strong candidate to host the 2018 finals, but Blatter said Europe was more likely to host that tournament because the previous two finals will have been staged in the southern hemisphere.

The 2010 finals are scheduled to be played in South Africa while Brazil has won the right to stage the 2014 tournament.

"Definitely (the World Cup finals) will be (staged in Australia)," Blatter said at the congress.

"But after the World Cup having been in South Africa and then in South America … 2018 will be very difficult after having been in the southern hemisphere.

"And to be far away, I think a (European) continental bid will be better. But in 2022 it is open."

FFA officials stuck to their guns, however, declaring it was full steam ahead for 2018.

"I don't accept that we're out of the race for 2018,'' said chief executive Ben Buckley.

"We understand there will be competition from countries within Europe. It will be hotly contested, but our 100 percent dedication and focus will be towards 2018.

"We believe we can put together a highly credentialed bid forward for 2018, and that's where our focus will be.''

Apart from Australia, rival bids are expected from European powers England, Spain, Russia and a joint Dutch-Belgian effort, along with three more from Asia - China, Japan and Qatar - and two from North America - the US and Mexico.

"There are so many contenders,'' said Blatter.

"When the bidding opens, everybody should bid for both.''

Blatter's plan is for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to be awarded simultaneously in three years' time, giving the two successful candidates maximum breathing space to plan their events.

FIFA statutes prevent the world's premier tournament from being held twice in a row on the same continent.

This means that if England, say, were successful in bidding for 2018 then the other European hopefuls would automatically be ruled out for 2022.

That might make the running easier for Australia for the 2022 event, but there has been a strong push for 2018 following the Socceroos' powerful performance in Germany in 2006, when they caused huge problems in a round of 16 match against eventual champions Italy.

Blatter said there was a move in Europe to agree on one candidate for 2018.

"They want to make sure there will be only one candidate in order to maintain their best chance,'' he said.

"I have also heard that in the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) they would do the same.''

If that is the case, then Australia might be in for a diplomatic arm wrestle with China.

But Blatter added: "I have to repeat, it is a fundamental right of a national association to bid for any competition.''

Ive heard that Italy will support Australia's bid for the 2018 world cup.

Will they win against IRAQ today ?

easy - socceroos 3-0

December 10, 2008

AUSTRALIA'S hopes of hosting the 2018 World Cup have been boosted with the Federal Government announcing $45 million in funding to help with the bid.

The unprecedented financial backing means Football Federation Australia has the resources to mount a serious bid, with governing body FIFA likely to make a decision in two years' time on who will host the 2018 and possibly 2022 World Cups.

Though Australia faces a huge challenge in seeing off other contenders such as England and the United States, the statement of intent behind the government backing is crucial to a winning strategy.

The decision to approve the federal spending has been months in the making, with football chiefs making a series of ventures to Canberra to present detailed modelling of the overall benefits in hosting a tournament of unparalleled size, way beyond the sport itself.

Sports Minister Kate Ellis and FFA chairman Frank Lowy have detailed the process by which the money will be spent, but it is likely to include drawing up detailed plans for investment in infrastructure such as transport and hotels.

They will also seek to head off criticism from other sports over government funding for football, which will approach $78 million, by pointing to the huge benefits to the country as a whole in terms of upgraded facilities and an influx of tourists.

"The World Cup campaign is a separate project which is not taking funds from other sports," Ellis said.

"Hosting the World Cup would provide Australia a unique opportunity with great benefits to the wider community, not just the football fraternity ... and bring significant economic benefit to Australia including boosts to tourism, infrastructure and jobs around the country."

Recent research by economist John Williams of the NSW Parliamentary Library estimated hosting the 2018 World Cup could contribute $5.4 billion to the local economy.

The last World Cup, two years ago in Germany, was estimated to have brought some two million international visitors and given work to around 85,000 people.

The confirmation of funding is the culmination of a charm offensive nationally and with every state government to ensure each is aware, and supportive, of the legislative and funding requirements of a serious bid.

As well as major upgrades of transport networks and accommodation resources, a successful bid will require at least 12 stadiums with 40,000 or more capacity, and a list of suitable venues and potential new ones has already been compiled in an audit prepared by consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers.

It's believed those listed for consideration include Sydney Football Stadium, ANZ Stadium and EnergyAustralia Stadium in NSW, the MCG and Telstra Dome in Melbourne, Adelaide's AAMI Stadium, and Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

This is great news it would be great to have this played in Australia, it would greatly improve football in this country.

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