58th FIFA Congress

The 58th FIFA Congress has kicked off in Sydney tonight with a lavish ceremony at the Sydney Opera House. 

Representatives from 208 National Football Associations as well as the six Continental Confederations attended the Opening Ceremony along with other dignitaries including the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Kevin Rudd. 

FIFA President, Mr Joseph Blatter opened the proceedings by announcing that the Iraqi Football Association ban had been provisionally lifted meaning that the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Australia in Brisbane next week can go ahead. This announcement was met with applause throughout the auditorium. Mr Blatter also touched on one of the major topics for the Congress tomorrow. Plans have been tabled to limit the number of international players in National Football Associations ensuring that fans get to see their own national players in local leagues. 

Mr Rudd opened his address to the congregation by acknowledging the traditional Aboriginal landowners, as well as the Peoples of Burma and China who have recently suffered natural disasters. 

He continued by mentioning the fact that Australia’s “extraordinary cultural diversity…” was a perfect fit for the “most global sport of all” and that Australia’s population could almost host its own World Cup. Mr. Rudd committed the Federal Government’s full support for Australia’s bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals. 

Prior to leaving the stage, Mr Rudd was presented a FIFA Medallion from President Blatter. 

Football federation Australia’s President, Mr Frank Lowy praised the Prime Minister for exceeding his re-election commitment to doubling the national funding for football in Australia. He mentioned that hosting the FIFA Congress coincided with a resurgence of football in Australia and expressed his desire to bring Australia into the mainstream football community. 

The 58th FIFA Congress continues in Sydney tomorrow.