Government commits $45 million to 2018 soccer World Cup bid

Submitted 10/12/2008

AAP

The Federal Government will spend $45.6 million on a bid to bring the soccer World Cup to Australia in 2018.

The commonwealth says the money will be spent over three years in an effort to bring the world's biggest sporting even down-under.

"Today's announcement sends a clear message to the football world that Australia is serious about hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup," Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said in a joint statement with Sports Minister Kate Ellis and Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson.

The 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, they said.

The FFA will formally lodge the Australian bid by the end of 2010 with a decision regarding who will host the 2018 world cup expected to be made in 2011.