Soccer: NZF present bid to FIFA

NZF CEO Michael Glading and FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. Photo / FIFA

New Zealand Football CEO Michael Glading has met with FIFA President Joseph Blatter overnight to present New Zealand's bid to host the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

While New Zealand's bid document arrived at FIFA's headquarters on Friday morning, Glading - accompanied by Auckland City Council's Event Attraction Manager Paul Dunphy - travelled to Switzerland to give New Zealand's bid a personal touch.

In a "positive meeting" with Mr Blatter, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke and FIFA's Director of Competitions Mustapha Fahmy, Glading pushed the strengths of New Zealand's case.

"We have the track record, government and local council support as well as a deserved reputation as a safe and welcoming destination," said Glading.

"We also have a sporting public with a growing appetite for football and hosting an event of the size of the FIFA U-20 World Cup would spur that growth even more."

NZF Chairman Frank van Hattum, who plans to follow up today's presentation while in Zurich for a FIFA committee meeting in a fortnight, says New Zealand presents a strong case to host a third FIFA event.

"We have a compelling bid, and after successfully hosting men's and women's U-17 World Cups in 1999 and 2008, we've proved we are a capable host with the infrastructure and support to step up a level."

"Those events left lasting legacies for football in New Zealand and a bigger challenge would leave a bigger imprint on New Zealand and throughout Oceania."

Also in the running to host the tournament were Peru, Wales and Tunisia. FIFA will announce the hosts of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup and five other World Cups on March 4 (NZT).