Australia promises "no worries" World Cup

By Duncan Mackay in Johannesburg

November 30 – Australia will offer to host a “no worries” FIFA World Cup as it goes head to head with its nine rivals for the first time in its bid for the 2018 or 2022 tournaments, it has promised.

One year out from the decision on which countries will host the two tournaments, Football Federation Australia (FFA) chairman Frank Lowy, chief executive Ben Buckley and Australia’s Sports Minister Kate Ellis have already arrived in Cape Town present Australia’s case at a Bidding Nations Media Expo in Cape Town on Friday.

The presentation will be done just hours before the 2010 World Cup draw is conducted, revealing the Socceroos group opponents at next year’s tournament in South Africa.

Lowy and Buckley are in Cape Town along with Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek, FFA officials and eight children who won state and territory competitions to serve as bid “emissaries”.

The Media Expo is the first of three significant opportunities for the 10 bidders representing 11 countries will get to present their case to the international football community.

Buckley is confident the FFA had a bid that would give it a strong chance.

He said: ”We offer a ‘no worries’ World Cup which is also fun, relaxed, safe and secure, a great destination and provides a warm welcome.

“With one year to go, it’s time to step up our efforts from now and throughout 2010 until D-day.

“FIFA has set a level playing field by giving each of us guidelines to adhere to, but we believe Australia’s credentials and our emissaries representing the young people of Australia will help set us apart and position us strongly.

“It’s a high quality, competitive field that we’re in, but we are very encouraged by the feedback on our work to date.

“Our work and our efforts over the next 12 months will increase in 2010 and be even more targeted to make sure we bring the FIFA World Cup home to Australia in 2018 or 2022.”

Lowy, Buckley and Verbeek will be the guests of honour at a reception hosted tomorrow by the Australian High Commissioner, Ann Harrap.

Buckley said: ”We’re delighted that, once again, the Australian Government is demonstrating their support for the Bid by hosting this reception and allowing us to present our credentials to the business and political community in Cape Town.”

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