World Cup co-hosting dream for Auckland

Still buzzing from the All Whites' win in Wellington? Think it couldn't get any better? How about seeing Brazil, France or England playing in a World Cup finals game in Auckland?

Football officials say they are confident the World Cup could come to New Zealand in 2018, if Australia is successful with a bid to host the tournament.

Despite the game's world governing body Fifa frowning upon co-hosting arrangements for major tournaments, Oceania Football Confederation general secretary Tai Nicholas believes the Australians would allow New Zealand to host a group stage of the tournament.

Asked about New Zealand's hopes of staging finals matches, Nicholas told the Sunday Star-Times: "Officially, no, but we are talking and once we get the bid, we can ask. I will push for a whole group here.

"Our chances are good. They don't believe in co-hosting, Fifa don't like it, but once they get the bid, let's negotiate."

New Zealand Football chairman Frank van Hattum said: "We have talked to the Australians about it, but first they have to win it and the rest will follow.

"One thing in our favour is the Fifa requirement that stadiums have to be free four weeks before and during the tournament and that really does present some issues for them about rugby league and AFL.

"But we could take Eden Park in June, tell [other sports] to play somewhere else and that would be fine."

Under Fifa regulations, grounds must be left vacant for up to six weeks before and throughout the tournament and no major rival sporting events scheduled against it, which has caused a backlash in Australia from rugby league, who would have to cancel NRL and State of Origin matches.

NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley has said that some clubs' future could be threatened. Rugby union and Australian Football would also be affected and the Australian government may be forced to enact new legislation to force the issue.

Even if New Zealand failed to secure official matches, it would present itself as a prime destination for warm-up fixtures and training camps. "For certain, we will get a whole lot of teams basing themselves here for the world cup," said Nicholas. "We are talking to the New Zealand government now: the likes of Brazil could be based in Auckland or Wellington, and play a friendly against say Croatia. That will happen for sure."

The $A45m Australian bid, led by former Qantas boss Geoff Dixon, has to sign a document by December 11 assuring Fifa it has the capability to host the tournament. The Australians are up against Russia, England, the USA and joint bids from Netherlands-Belgium and Spain-Portugal for hosting rights.

The 24-man Fifa executive committee, which includes OFC president Reynald Temaari, will make a final decision for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments in December 2010.

- © Fairfax NZ News