Australia commits 45 million dollars to 2018 WC bid

Australia's bid to host the 2018 World Cup has received a major boost when the government agreed to spend more than 45 million dollars to back the campaign.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Sports Minister Kate Ellis and Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson said in a statement the 45.6-million-dollar (30 million US) cash injection “sends a clear message to the football world that Australia is serious about hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup.”

“There is no better place in the world than right here in Australia,” Ellis told reporters.

“This announcement shows to the entire football world we are very serious in our commitment and we know if successful it would be a great win not just for the football fraternity, but for the sporting world and our economy and infrastructure.”

The Football Federation Australia (FFA) will formally lodge its bid by the end of 2010 with a decision on who will host the tournament expected in 2011.

FFA chairman Frank Lowy told reporters the money would be spent wisely on securing the best “professional services” to ensure Australia has a genuine chance of hosting the football showpiece.

“We will hire from Australia and overseas the very best people to show that Australia can do this job properly,” Lowy said.

“We have had two Olympics, two rugby world cups and Australia's strength in this field is unquestionable.”

Australia is a relative newcomer to the international competitive football field after excelling in other codes.

But Lowy said he is confident Australia can win the right to host the tournament, despite a perception it should be held in Europe.

“While I understand that there is a view emanating from Europe that it may well be the turn of Europe to be the hosts in 2018, the fact is football is a world game,” he said.

The government will work with the FFA as well as with local governments to hone the country's bid.

The governing bodies for Australia's main football codes — Australian Rules and rugby league — agreed last month to allow football priority access to shared stadia, enhancing the country's chances of mounting a strong bid for the 2018 competition.

European powers England, Spain, Russia and a joint Dutch-Belgian effort are also expected to vie to host the competition, as are China, Japan, Qatar, the United States and Mexico.

The next World Cup finals, in 2010, will take place in South Africa, and Brazil has already been handed hosting rights for the 2014 edition.