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Football Federation Australia is to receive $45.6 million from the Federal Government to support its bid for the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

Acording to newspaper reports, the Federal Cabinet had been considering the funding for some time but signed off on it (at levels slightly reduced) during last week. It is understood FFA sought more than $50 million but the economic crisis tempered the original expectations.

FFA will use the funding to set up the official bid team with a small, but influential executive led by FFA chairman Frank Lowy, and push Australia's case to host the month-long tournament, which promises to boost tourism and attract a broadcast viewing audience in excess of 26 billion.

Government ministers have strongly supported the bid as a way to promote Australia and said that the money was a clear signal that the Government was fully behind Australia's bid.

"This sends a clear message to the football world that Australia is serious about hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup," Sport Minister Kate Ellis explains "the Australian Government will work in partnership with the Football Federation Australia and state and territory governments in a united approach to building the strongest bid possible for the 2018 event."

It is hoped that the money, which will be paid over the next three years, will secure at least 13 votes from the 24-strong FIFA executive to gain Australia the World Cup ahead of rivals England, Indonesia, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Egypt (which may only bid for the 2022 World Cup), Mexico, Russia, the USA and joint bids from Belgium/the Netherlands and Portugal/Spain. 

Image: Socceroos fans back the FIFA World Cup bid. Image courtesy of Football Federation Australia

16th June 2009 - LOWY TALKS UP AUSTRALIA’S WORLD CUP BID PROSPECTS

3rd February 2009 - AUSTRALIA ENTERS RACE FOR FIFA WORLD CUP

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