Soccer: World Cup bids could involve NZ 

New Zealand Soccer (NZS) plans bidding to host the 2008 women's under-20 World Cup.

An expression of interest has already been filed with Fifa, the sport's world governing body.

NZS chief executive Graham Seatter is confident Fifa will look upon the bid favourably after New Zealand hosted the under-17 men's World Cup in 1999.

"Fifa have said they want to spread their world championships around the confederations," he said.

"The fact they've scheduled the (2008) tournament for November signals they're looking at the Southern Hemisphere ... they like the idea because it's a good separation, both geographically and time-wise, from the Beijing Olympics in August."

Meanwhile, NZS is watching with interest as Australia bid to host the senior men's World Cup finals in 2018.

The best New Zealand could hope for was to host a pool, Seatter said.

"We've known about this (trans-Tasman) bid for some time and with Asia (Japan and Korea in 2002) and Africa (South Africa in 2010) hosting their first World Cups, it's Oceania's turn.

"Ironically it would be hosted by a country that has left Oceania but we wouldn't be too precious about that ... if Australia want support we'll give it."

Australia are to align with the Asian Football Confederation from January 1.

- nzpa