AFC chief calls for one Asia bid

Bin Hammam told The World Game that the AFC should support just one bid so long as an Asian nation wins the rights.

Currently five AFC members – Australia, Qatar, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia (who are officially still in in the running despite their goverment's non support) – are registered as official bidders for either the 2018 or 2022 tournaments.

“I’d like all Asia to stand behind one bid,” Bin Hammam said. “It’s not important which country wins but we’re determined to see the 2018 or 2022 WC in Asia.”

Bin Hammam’s position suggests that four bids will have to withdraw from the race before FIFA’s Executive Committee votes on the future hosts in December 2010.

The alternative is that AFC’s four Executive Committee members shun four of their Confederation’s bids to put their collective weight behind one strong bid.

Bin Hammam, from Qatar, recently visited South Korea to meet President Lee Myung-bak and publicly made peace with former rival and fellow FIFA Executive Committee Member, Chung Mong-joon.

The AFC’s other members on FIFA’s powerful Executive Committee is Worawi Makudi from Thailand and Junji Ogura from Japan.

“The World Cup in Asia is going to be the legacy of football in terms of new stadiums to be built and new fans to join the game,” Bin Hammam said. “The impact is definitely huge. “

“The World Cup can motivate the whole continent for all those years building up to the event. It can drive huge numbers of fans who are not football fans yet.

“The World Cup can also have a positive influence on existing clubs. New fans are going to join the clubs and leagues, not to mention the commitments of the talented players and administration to be part of a World Cup in Asia.”

Also on Bin Hammam’s agenda is the future participation of New Zealand team Wellington Phoenix in Australia’s A-League.

The AFC President has been vocal in his opposition to a team from the Oceania Football Confederation playing in an AFC competition.