The FFA Bid team was part of FIFA’s official Observers’ Programme for the bidding nations for the 2018-2022 FIFA World Cup, held in South Africa last week as part of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

As well as attending matches (including South Africa v Brazil semi-final), the Bid team also visited host cities, base camps, training facilities and most stadia as well as receiving tips from the Local Organising Committee from South Africa.

And the verdict?

“It will be a fantastic World Cup,” according to FFA CEO, Ben Buckley.

“We can’t speak highly enough of the facilities we visited, the people we met and the atmosphere generated by local supporters at the games.

“It was clear to us that the local people are very excited about hosting next year’s FIFA World Cup and it will be a wonderful experience for players, supporters, media and fans alike.”

Buckley said the visit also provided an opportunity to settle details for the Qantas Socceroos pre-tournament training base as well as the base camp once the FIFA World Cup is underway.