Roger Hampel
Fot: FIFA via Instagram
Australia and New Zealand's joint success in hosting the Women's World Cup could potentially pave the way for a collaborative bid to host the men's equivalent in the future. The most recent Women's World Cup, notable for its expansion to 32 teams and multi-country hosting format, broke attendance records, particularly for women's football matches in both hosting countries.
Andrew Pragnell, the chief executive officer of New Zealand Football, expressed immense satisfaction with how the tournament played out. In a conversation with local media, he emphasized that FIFA was extremely pleased with the outcome as well. "The reception and execution of the Women's World Cup reinforced our belief that Australia and New Zealand can, at some point, successfully host a men's World Cup," he stated. He further hinted that it could be a broader collaboration, potentially positioning Australia and New Zealand at the heart of an Asia-Pacific partnership.
James Johnson, Football Australia's head, has on numerous occasions expressed Australia's interest in hosting the men's World Cup. However, a significant challenge lies in meeting FIFA's stadium requirements. FIFA mandates that hosting stadiums must provide seating capacities of 40,000 for group matches, 60,000 for semi-finals, and 80,000 for the finals. Currently, Eden Park in Auckland, boasting 50,000 seats, is the only stadium in New Zealand that satisfies the criteria for group stage matches. However, Pragnell remains optimistic, noting that the global football body might offer flexibility. He stressed the importance of ensuring that any infrastructure developed would have long-term utility.
While the next Men's World Cup in 2026 has already found its hosts in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Australia and New Zealand’s intent can be seen as a forward-looking aspiration.
On a related note, fans in Australia are being urged to exercise caution when purchasing tickets for major events. Reports suggest an uptick in scam activities, particularly surrounding the World Cup matches. The National Anti-Scam Centre, an arm of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, has alerted fans about deceptive ticket sales and fake streaming links. Deputy chair of the ACCC, Catriona Lowe, advised fans to remain vigilant, particularly on platforms like Facebook where scams related to ticket sales have been prevalent.
In conclusion, as the football fever continues to grip the nations, it's vital for fans to be both excited about the future prospects and vigilant about the present challenges.
Based on the source: StraitsTimes
Australia and New Zealand Eager to Co-Host Men's World Cup Following Women's Success.
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