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FIFA World Cup is the biggest event on the football calendar – AFP
New Zealand Football is eager to host the FIFA Men’s World Cup as well, alongside Australia, bearing in mind the success of the ongoing Women’s event, according to Chief Executive Andrew Pragnell.
The first 32-team Women’s World Cup has generated record crowds in Australia and New Zealand.
“We are both obviously rapt with how the tournament has gone,” Pragnell told New Zealand news website Stuff.
“FIFA are over the moon and couldn’t be happier also. We’ve shown what we always knew — that we would host the best ever Women’s World Cup.
“It’s only natural that at some time in the future we would host a men’s World Cup.
“It’s likely to be some sort of Asia-Pacific partnership, and I would see Australia and NZ as a foundation of that, for sure.”
Football Australia boss James Johnson has also said on multiple occasions in the past that Australia would like to host the men’s World Cup but it will need stadiums that are in line with FIFA requirements.
The hosts need to provide minimum seating of 40,000 for group stage matches, 60,000 for the last four clashes and 80,000 for the final.
Auckland’s 50,000-seat Eden Park is New Zealand’s only stadium that meets the requirements for group matches.
Pragnell said New Zealand will work with FIFA in order to resolve the stadiums’ issue.
“I don’t think anyone wants to see a scenario where infrastructure is built that wouldn’t be used again,” he said.
“From our experiences with FIFA in this World Cup, they are willing to work with you and be flexible.”
The next men’s World Cup in 2026 will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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