The FIFA delegation visiting Australia to inspect its credentials to hold a FIFA World Cup in 2022 got to see all of the ten host cities and twelve stadiums in one go today.
A spectacular display at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre (SCEC) gave the delegates a firsthand look at every city, region and stadium in the Football Federation Australia Bid.
Large colour images of the cities and the proposed stadiums were on display and the delegates were given the most detailed information to date on the stadiums included in the Bid.
High-level representatives from the six state and territories involved in the Bid were present to brief the delegates in person.
Samples of food and other produce sourced from all of the host cities were also on hand.
SCEC is Australia's largest venue for conferences and special events and could be used during a FIFA World Cup as a venue for the Preliminary and Final draw and the International Broadcast Centre.
After heavy rain saw the delegation's flight to Newcastle cancelled today, FFA officials took the opportunity to take them on a quick visit to Sydney Wildlife World at Darling Harbour.
The delegates had their picture taken with a koala and saw a 4.8m saltwater crocodile, kangaroos and assorted snakes and lizards.
They had earlier attended a breakfast meeting with some of Australia's leading business figures and was shown a presentation about the commercial power of Asia and Australia's role within the Asian commercial environment.
The FIFA inspection team consists of six delegates and is led by Chilean Football Federation President Harold Mayne-Nicholls and includes CEO of 2010 South Africa Local Organising Committee Danny Jordaan, FIFA Head of Event Management Jurgen Muller, FIFA Marketing representative David Fowler, FIFA Competitions representative Julio Avellar and FIFA Media Officer Wolfgang Eichler.
Australia is the third stop on tour of the nine countries that are bidding to host the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup tournaments. Today is day two of a three-day visit.
At the end of the inspection tour, the delegation will submit an objective report to assist FIFA's 24 executive members select a host for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will be announced by FIFA on 2 December 2010 in Zurich.
