Franz Beckenbauer: Australia Have 'Good Chance' Of Hosting World Cup

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Franz Beckenbauer (AFP)

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FIFA Supremo and football immortal Franz Beckenbauer has given Australia his own personal seal of approval in the race to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

Part of FIFA’s 24-man executive committee and widely regarded as one of the most influential men in world football, Beckenbauer told The Sun-Herald that Australia have a “good chance” of hosting the biggest sporting event in the world.

"Australia? I think they have a good chance, because the World Cup's never been to Australia," Beckenbauer said.

"Australia's a beautiful country, a beautiful continent."

One of only two men to have won the World Cup as both a player and a coach, Australia is familiar to the 63 year-old.

They were one of his West German side’s opponents on their way to winning the 1974 World Cup and to this day ‘Der Kaiser’ appears to have maintained a friendly relationship with members of that famous Socceroos squad.

But while Australia’s hosting of the 58th FIFA Congress last year in Sydney appears to have made a lasting impression on world football’s governing body, it appears as though a European bid will be favoured for the 2018 World Cup.

If a European nation were indeed selected for the 2018 event, Beckenbauer went on to state that England could “host it tomorrow” but admitted that there were “a lot of different countries bidding”.

Meanwhile, chief executive for the 2010 World Cup Danny Jordan admitted FIFA were “surprised” with the high number of ticket requests from Australia, with more than 27,000 tickets to the finals having been sold before the Socceroos even qualified.

"The fact that Australia is making a bid to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup makes it even more important for the Australian team and Australians in general to be here in 2010,” Jordan said.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has, in the past, suggested Australia would be better served by focusing more on the 2022 event, given an apparent European preference in 2018 and Beckenbauer’s words serve to reiterate that idea.

However, his backing of Football Federation Australia’s chances are another positive during a week where the Socceroos achieved their highest ever world ranking, coming in at 16th.

Australia will need to win 13 votes of the 24 from FIFA’s executive committee if they are to host the tournament.

Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com

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