AUSTRALIA has placed a bid to host the 2009 and 2010 FIFA Club World Cups, Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief executive Ben Buckley has revealed.The Club World Cup is contested between six champion clubs from each FIFA confederation plus a team from the host nation.
AC Milan took the honours last year with Argentina`s Boca Juniors second and Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan, placed third.
“FIFA is looking for hosts for 2009 and 2010, and we believe Australia has very strong credentials,” Buckley said.
Australia`s rivals for the Club World Cup are the United Arab Emirates and Japan, which will host the tournament in 2008 for the fifth year running.
Buckley said that it was a deliberate strategy of FFA to express an interest in hosting major football events.
“We want to be a strong and positive contributor to the world of football in as many ways as possible,” he said.
“Next week`s FIFA Congress is part of that strategy, as is the 2015 Asian Cup, bidding for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and also the 2009 and 2010 Club World Cup.”
A decision will be made on who will host the 2009 and 2010 FIFA Club World Cup when the FIFA executive meets in Sydney next week.
The FIFA Congress will attract around 2000 delegates drawn from the 208 member nations.
AAP
