Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, speaking at a joint press conference with his Brazilian counterpart Celso Amorim in Canberra, said both nations share a passion for football.

Brazil has won the right to host the cup in 2014.

"Australia has a bid to host the 2018 World Cup," Mr Smith said.

"So I have asked Minister Amorim to contemplate whether Brazil might be able to give us some assistance in that respect."