World Cup qualification boosts Aussies' bid: FFA

Qualifying for back-to-back World Cups is a massive boost to Australia's chances of hosting the event, Football Federation Australia chief Frank Lowy said on Monday.

Qualifying for back-to-back World Cups is a massive boost to Australia's chances of hosting the event, Football Federation Australia chief Frank Lowy said on Monday.

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Australia booked their ticket to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a point from their scoreless draw with Qatar in Doha on Saturday, having reached the second round of the 2006 tournament.

Lowy has been lobbying FIFA delegates to earn their votes for Australia's bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cups.

"It's essential that we keep on winning if we are to have the World Cup here in 2018 or 2022. It makes a great difference," Lowy said.

The retail property billionaire laid the groundwork for Australia's bid when Sydney hosted governing body FIFA's world congress last year.

"We have made a lot of friends," Lowy said. "They (FIFA delegates) recognise Australia for what it is."

Lowy described the Socceroos' achievement of reaching next year's World Cup under Dutch coach Pim Verbeek as "fantastic".

"When this new administration took over, never could I have dreamt we would have back-to-back qualifications in our first six years."

Lowy will officially launch Australia's bid in Canberra next weekend.