Asian Bid for FIFA World Cup 2018

As from 2018, the hosting of the FIFA World Cup™ will cease to be rotated. Under the chairmanship of President Joseph S. Blatter, the FIFA Executive Committee today - 29 October 2007 - unanimously passed a decision to abandon the principle (originally introduced in the year 2000) of rotating the men's World Cup from continent to continent. The confederations whose associations have hosted the two preceding World Cups will not be eligible to bid, however. Consequently, all the associations from Asia, North and Central America and the Caribbean, Oceania and Europe may bid for the 2018 FIFA World Cup™.

With the abandonment of the FIFA rotation policy, member football federations of the Asian Football Confederation may now apply.

Australia and China have already expressed an interest in hosting the tournament but will face tough opposition from football powerhouses including England and The Netherlands (Benelux).

QANTAS Socceroos to play Nigeria

The Qantas Socceroos will continue their preparations ahead of the commencement of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup with an international match against Nigeria in London on Saturday 17 November.

Craven Cottage the home of Fulham FC will be the venue for the match which will be the final game ahead of Australia's first 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier to be played on Wednesday 6 February.

The opponents that Australia will face in their first phase of World Cup qualifying will be revealed after the draw, which will take place in Durban, South Africa on Sunday 25 November 2007.

Nigeria, ranked 23 in the World, are currently involved in qualifying for the 2008 African Cup of Nations and have just won their group.

"Nigeria are the number one ranked team in Africa and will provide a very competitive match for the Qantas Socceroos," said FFA CEO Ben Buckley.

"It is vital that we give the team another match ahead of the World Cup qualifiers and we look forward to seeing Australia's national football team play against a high quality opponent."

FFA Technical Director Rob Baan will coach the Qantas Socceroos on what will be a vital day for Australian Football. As the Qantas Socceroos play Nigeria the Qantas Under 23s will be in action against Iraq at Bluetongue Stadium at Gosford in a match that could decide which team qualifies for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Sydney FC V LA Galaxy

Football Federation Australia (FFA) and the Hyundai Motor Company Australia have announced that the upcoming Sydney FC versus LA Galaxy match, featuring David Beckham, at Telstra Stadium on Tuesday 27 November 2007 will be known as the “Hyundai Club Challenge”.

“It is fantastic that Hyundai has chosen to further extend their relationship with Football in Australia by becoming naming rights partner for this very special event,” said FFA CEO Ben Buckley.

“Hyundai has become established as the motor vehicle partner of Football around the world – from the FIFA World Cup through to the Qantas Socceroos and the Hyundai A-League here in Australia. It is fitting therefore that they have embraced this huge international special event, which will provide a great showcase for everything that is special about the World Game.”

“We thank Hyundai for their ongoing support and, like every sports fan in Australia, we eagerly look forward to the Hyundai Club Challenge match,” concluded Buckley. “It will provide a unique occasion to introduce yet another new Australian audience to Football and the Hyundai A-League.”

Hyundai Motor Company Australia Director of Sales & Marketing, Kevin McCann, made the partnership announcement at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.

“The relationship between Hyundai and Football in Australia has grown strongly over the past 3 years and this partnership for the Hyundai Club Challenge is just another example of our support for the game.

“Hyundai is proud to partner this historic match and give football fans the opportunity to see one of the most recognized sports stars in the world; David Beckham,” concluded McCann.

The Hyundai Club Challenge will be broadcast live and exclusively in High Definition by Network Ten nationally in a special three hour presentation, which will also feature an exclusive one-on-one interview with David Beckham.

There are a limited number of tickets remaining for the Hyundai Club Challenge and a capacity crowd is expected on Tuesday 27 November. Supporters can still purchase their tickets through Ticketek via internet (www.ticketek.com.au), phone (132 849) or at outlets.