Cahill dreams of Australian World Cup

Helping bring the 2022 World Cup to Australia would be a ‘dream come true’ for Everton midfielder Tim Cahill.

Cahill was the first ever player to score a World Cup goal for his country and is a part of Australia’s official delegation in Zurich ahead of FIFA’s vote on the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups on Thursday.

The USA, Qatar, Japan and South Korea are also in the running for the 2022 World Cup, but Cahill said it would be an emotional moment if Australia were to win.

“I admit there would be tears of emotion. It’s always been so close and yet so far away,” Cahill said.

“After working so hard as a footballer on and off the pitch it would be a dream come true, but most of all it would make the dreams of kids in Australia come true.”

Cahill highlighted Australia’s impressive record of hosting major international sporting events and pointed out that the country provides unchartered territory for the world’s biggest sporting event.

“Australia speaks for itself. It’s a beautiful country with a lot of different cultures, a place where the World Cup has never been held,” Cahill said.

“We have held some of the biggest events on the planet like the Olympics and the Rugby World Cup and to share Australia with the world would be pretty special.”

Cahill said his experience at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa showed the benefits hosting the event could have.

“South Africa was a fantastic experience that opened my eyes to different cultures,” Cahill said.

“The magic of football is it brings everyone together, but to share Australia with the world would be pretty special.”