Failure to qualify for World Cup would not be financial disaster for Football Australia

If the Socceroos don’t qualify for next year’s World Cup, it won’t be a disaster for the financially sound Football Australia.

Football Australia could financially cope if the Socceroos failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup. Picture: Matt King / Getty Images

Football Australia would cope financially if the Socceroos failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup, such is the better than expected off-field recovery the sport has made domestically.

Despite the ongoing impacts of Covid-19, the FA announced on Tuesday at its annual general meeting it had made a net surplus of $11.8 million for the 2020-21 financial year.

A loss of $7.3 million for 2020-21 had been forecast a year ago after it was announced there had been a $1.814 million loss in 2019-20.

“Australian football is in a vastly different position today than what it was 18 months ago, with noticeable and significant change taking place across the game this year,” FA chief executive officer James Johnson said.

“We have set the foundations for positive transformation of Australian football in 2021 and we are optimistic and excited about the future of the game.”

Johnson was confident that future would include the Socceroos playing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

But if on-field disaster strikes and the Australians – currently sitting outside the automatic qualifying spots on offer in the Asian Football Confederation’s third-round of qualification – don’t reach Qatar, FA won’t suffer financially.

That’s despite Australia receiving a reported $12 million just by qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

FA chairman Chris Nikou (left) and CEO James Johnson are pleased with the organisation’s financial recovery. Picture: Dan Himbrechts / AAP

“If we were not to qualify (for the 2022 World Cup), the game will be in a strong financial position, so there’s nothing to worry about,” Johnson said.

“But I think we shouldn’t be disheartened. At this point the Socceroos have lost one game in the year 2021.

“I think we’ve got every chance of going through directly.”

Johnson also stressed that even if the Socceroos finished third in their group, they could still qualify via Asian and intercontinental playoffs, as they did for the 2018 tournament.

Re-elected FA chairman Chris Nikou said: “James Johnson and his team should be commended on the commercial turnaround of the organisation.

“In recent times, we have embarked on crucial and at times, difficult structural changes – reforms that will see the continued evolution and growth of our great game.

“I am proud to say that we have completed making many of those changes.”

Nikou said FA’s immediate goals included ensuring the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which is being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, left a lasting “legacy”.

“A lot of our thinking is around maximising the Women’s World Cup, particularly the legacy piece,” Nikou said.

“I’m sure we’ll put on a wonderful tournament. I’ve got no doubt about that, but what is important is maximising the legacy for the whole of the country.”

Originally published as Failure to qualify for World Cup would not be financial disaster for Football Australia