Soccer: This coup will bring worldwide exposure

For New Zealand, it doesn't get any bigger than this.

New Zealand Football will never host a World Cup. To be awarded the 2015 Under-20 World Cup - considered Fifa's second-biggest tournament - is a coup.

Many of the best players at last year's World Cup made their way via the Under-20 World Cup.

It has become a professional showcase in every sense of the word. Professional players, scouts and the game's most ardent fans will be attracted Downunder.

Winning the right to host the 24-team championship was never a given but, in the end, just reward for the national body which can justifiably reflect on a job well done, on and off the field.

While New Zealand teams have lifted their game - men and women - with last year's unbeaten run in South Africa the standout, the kudos of hosting the men's Under-17 World Cup in 1999 and the 2008 women's Under-17 World Cup played a major part in this latest success.

From an original list of 11, in the end it was a straight vote between New Zealand and Wales with the New Zealand bid winning the day.

The previous Fifa tournaments here have been based at North Harbour Stadium. This tournament will demand a bigger stadium with Eden Park a logical choice.

New Zealand Football, which produced a classy, comprehensive bid document, insists no decision has been made on the opening or closing venues but it will be hard to go past the revamped home of rugby.

Indeed, it appears the massive buildup to this year's Rugby World Cup and the associated sporting infrastructure upgrade have played a major part in the success of this bid.

It is estimated about $20 million - on top of a huge handout from Fifa - will be needed to get the tournament across the line. That is a big ask but good old Kiwi ingenuity and a determination to keep the soccer flag flying will drive the effort.

With a guaranteed television audience of 500 million or so worldwide, it is a second-to-none chance - and certainly much bigger than the Rugby World Cup - to showcase New Zealand to the world.

Among budding soccer players, the chance to play in such a tournament will hopefully spur a resurgence in the sport. This can encourage young Kiwis to see soccer as their ticket to the world.