KEY POINTS:
The global game has reached its limit. Fifa's inaugural Under-17 Women's World Cup will be the last new tournament, at least in the foreseeable future.
Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke, in Auckland for tonight's opening ceremony and game, said the sport's governing body had taken a decision not to
increase the number of events on its bulging calendar which now has 20 competitions in the four-year cycle.
"We will not extend for the time being," said Valcke - Fifa president Sepp Blatter's right-hand man. "It is a crazy situation and impossible to find more dates. How much football can you play?"
Only the [men's] World Cup makes money - enough to pay for the rest and then some. The World Club Cup breaks even.
The Under-17 Women's World Cup has a budget of US$11.8 million ($21.7 million).
The returns from North Harbour Stadium, Waikato Stadium, Westpac Stadium and QEII Park will be minimal, something Valcke shrugs off.
"We do not think about what tournaments cost," he said. "We want to accelerate the development of the game."
Which is why countries like New Zealand will always be on Fifa's list when it calls for tournament hosts.
"There is no reason why New Zealand should not continue to host tournaments," said Valcke.
"The only reason people put forward is the distance from Europe and, in the case of the World Club Cup, that was taken into account when Australia made their bid.
"By bringing tournaments to New Zealand we are getting the focus on football. In a country where football is not the main sport, this is important. I understand that while rugby is your national sport, more women and more and more kids are playingfootball.
"It would be like taking a tournament to India, where football is not the major sport," said Valcke.
Of suggestions football should be scrapped at the Olympics, Valcke was adamant it is there to stay.
"Football was one of the first team sports at the Olympic Games and the IOC have never suggested it should go. The only discussion we have had in recent times is about the age group for the men's tournament."
French-born Valcke, 48, joined Fifa as director of marketing and television in June 2003 and was involved in the costly wrangle surrounding major partners Visa and Mastercard which cost Fifa many millions of dollars. It was, he says, "completely crazy" admitting there were mistakes.
On one thing he is adamant, he has no wish to follow Blatter into the top job.
"I will never be president," he said. "I'm a perfect number two."
