Lowy claims he is not bothered by Blatter backing for Qatar World Cup bid

April 26 – Frank Lowy (pictured right), the chairman of Football Federation Australia (FFA), has claimed that he is not concerned by Sepp Blatter’s claims that the Middle East deserves to host the World Cup, which have been perceived as being encouragement for Qatar’s bid for the 2022 tournament.

Australia is bidding for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cup but Blatter has not offered them the same kind of endorsement.

Lowy said: ”It’s the biggest sporting event on earth and his comments tell us what we already knew – that we are up against an incredibly tough field and that every competitor has a strong case to make.

“It reinforces the importance of lodging the best bid we can, and the need for the nation to get behind the bid.”

Lowy has always remained confident Australia’s bid to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup will be successful.

With 2018 seemingly certain to go to a European bidder the 2022 event looms as Australia’s best shot at success, with the United States thought likely to prove its biggest rival.

But Blatter told reporters in Doha at the weekend that he was impressed by Qatar’s infrastructure.

“The Arab world deserves the World Cup and Qatar has a good chance to become the first country from the region to host it,” Blatter said.

Lowy said: ”If we remain focused and continue to sell Australia’s strong points – our track record with big events, being part of the fast-growing Asian region and football’s growing popularity here – then I’m confident we will succeed.

“We don’t take the competition lightly, every nation has strong credentials, but I genuinely believe Australia is in a position to make the strongest bid.”

Australia is competing with England, the US, Japan, Russia and joint bids from Spain and Portugal and the Netherlands and Belgium to host either the 2018 or 2022 finals.

Qatar and South Korea have applied to host only the 2022 version.

FIFA will select the hosts of both tournaments in Zurich on December 2.