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Australia enters 2018 race

Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy has announced that Australia has now formally entered the field in its bid to host the FIFA World Cup.

Initial expressions of interest to FIFA, the world governing body for the sport, are required from bidding nations by Monday, February 2.

"We have submitted Australia's expression of interest in hosting either the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup tournaments," Lowy said.

"This marks the beginning of a long and important journey, not just for football but for Australia, until we know the outcome in December next year.

"As a nation, sport has provided some of our most compelling and defining national memories.

"We believe this is a passion and commitment that can be shared with the world, and it would form part of a living and lasting legacy to the world from Australia," Lowy said.

"The bid will also help the world understand that Australia is a 'can do' country, where important, major events can happen with a minimum of fuss and a minimum of worry.

"This has always been a very important attribute, but will become increasingly more so in this century," Lowy said.

Mr Lowy said FFA is unperturbed by reports of bids from a large and growing number of other countries.

"We are not surprised by the interest from across the world in hosting this prestigious event," Lowy said.

"Football is a truly global sport, and sport not only has the power, but also a responsibility, to help unite people and nations.

"Australia understands this intuitively, and we know we have the capacity, experience and expertise to deliver a successful FIFA World Cup."

Lowy said the next milestone in the journey to host the World Cup will occur in mid-March when further bid documentation is required.