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Australia have submitted bids to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cups as they try to bring the tournament to Australasia for the first time.

The deadline for applications to FIFA is March 16, with a final decision set to be made in December 2010.

Australasia has never before played host to football's showpiece event, but it is part of the Asian football network which has shown considerable development in recent years.

They are therefore optimistic that their efforts to usurp the likes of England, America, South Korea, Russia and a joint bid from Portugal and Spain will prove to be successful.

Bonita Mersiades, of the Football Federation of Australia, told Sky Sports News: "Australia is part of the fastest growing region in world football and I think that is very important to FIFA.

"It's very important to us and it's very important to the Asian Football Federation.

"Whether that is an advantage or a disadvantage, it is too soon to say one way or the other. But I think the great thing about opening it up to any country and going beyond the rotation system is that it gives a number of countries the opportunity to put their hands up.

"It also shows the strength of football around the world. There are 13 countries and 11 bidders for the 2018 and/or 2022 World Cup and the fact that there is such a strong interest shows it truly is the global game and a game people want to be part of.

"All around the world people are vying for it and I think that's a positive sign for the sport as a whole."

TeamTalk / Eurosport