3 Jun 2008Australia to rival England's World Cup bid

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

Australia has announced it will launch a bid to host the 2018 World Cup, it has been reported.

England are also hoping to host the World Cup that year for the first time since 1966.

What's more, following Fifa's abandonment of its rotation policy, other European countries such as Spain and Russia are likely to throw their names into the hat.

Frank Lowy, the Football Federation Australia chairman, said: "I want to make it clear that we are aiming to host the 2018 World Cup. While I understand that there is a view emanating from Europe that it may well be the turn of Europe to be the hosts in 2018, the fact is football is a world game."

While Australia impressed with its hosting of the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Fifa president Sepp Blatter has been reported as saying the country would be more successful if it bid in 2022.

"Europe has been the focus of football growth and development for much of the past 80 years, but the future of football is in the 'new world'," said Mr Lowy.

England last held a major football tournament in 1996 when it was host to the European Championships.

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