World cup bid has begun

The formal announcement of the Federal Government's support for the bid is a huge boost for the game leading into this afternoon's A-League grand final.

Mr Rudd said wresting the prize away from England and other rivals China, Mexico and Canada would be difficult but placed the nation fully behind the task.

The United Kingdom is spending between $25 million and $32 million on its bid.

"Winning the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup is a herculean task, but overcoming tough odds is what Australian football does best," he said.

"For an Australian world cup bid to be successful, the FFA [Football Federation Australia] will need the full and united support of the Commonwealth and state and territory governments.

"Soccer in Australia has 450,000 registered participants and has never been more popular. A bid to host the 2018 World Cup is a natural follow-on from the brilliant performance of the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup and the success of the A-League."

FFA chief executive Ben Buckley will head the bid team, comprising federal and state government representatives.

FFA chairman Frank Lowy said the impact of hosting the World Cup would be beneficial economically and of historic importance in framing Australia's place in the world.

"Apart from the benefits for the sport, there are also significant benefits for the nation in terms of economic impact, international prestige and contribution to nation building and social inclusion," Mr Lowy said.

Premier Morris Iemma has given his full support. He put forward the former Olympic Stadium at Homebush Bay as a natural choice for the final, as well as the Sydney Football Stadium and the redeveloped EnergyAustralia Stadium at Newcastle as suitable match venues.

The 2006 World Cup in Germany attracted 3.35 million spectators, including 2 million visitors from overseas. The month-long event was broadcast to 214 countries and watched by a cumulative TV audience of more than 26 billion.

Mr Rudd said representatives of the FFA would meet government officials in the next week to begin planning the bid. He said the cost of the bid would be shared between the federal , state and territory governments and the FFA.

Accountancy giant PricewaterhouseCoopers has been commissioned to undertake an audit of Australia's stadiums, accommodation, public transport, training facilities and other infrastructure.

The report, outlining our readiness to stage the largest sporting event on earth, is certain to place considerable financial strain on a number of governments. The report is expected to be ready in May.

A world cup in Australia could severely disrupt the Australian Football League and National Rugby League seasons.

NRL spokesman John Brady said: "Our first preference would be to have existing competitions go forward. That said, it's an issue we'd be prepared to discuss."

? FIFA's 2008 member associations each get one vote in determining the bid.

? Australia, England, China, Russia, United States, Belgium, the Netherlands and Mexico all want to be the host.

? Venues such as the MCG and Telstra Dome in Melbourne, ANZ Stadium and Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and the recently announced new stadium for Perth could host matches.

? Football in Australia has 450,000 registered participants and has never been more popular.