FIFA World Cup: Football Australia warns Melbourne to revamp AAMI Stadium

Victoria will need to build a new stadium or significantly revamp AAMI Park to play a meaningful role if Australia wins its bid for the 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup.

The Matildas success has drawn new interest to soccer. Picture: Adam Head

Victoria would need to build a new major soccer stadium or significantly revamp AAMI Park to play a meaningful role in a FIFA World Cup, Football Australia has warned.

Record crowds turned out to Melbourne’s six Women’s World Cup matches and packed live sites to watch the Matildas finish fourth.

But Melbourne scored just one Matildas’ match – their thumping 4-0 win over Canada – and the best games went to Sydney and Brisbane, where larger rectangle stadiums were available.

The Herald Sun last week revealed Australia was set to bid for the men’s World Cup in the wake of a “best ever” women’s event, and more major international soccer tournaments.

Without a purpose-built soccer stadium with greater seating capacity however, FA chief executive James Johnson said Melbourne could again miss out on key matches if Australia did secure FIFA’s crown jewel.

AAMI Park doesn’t have the capacity required to host a World Cup game. Picture: Diego Fedele

“I think if Victoria had a rectangular stadium like a Suncorp Stadium in Melbourne, it certainly sets itself up very well for a World Cup bid,’’ he said.

“I know that’s something Melbourne doesn’t have.

“It has AAMI, which isn’t big enough for a men’s World Cup bid.’’

FIFA demands all men’s World Cup stadiums seat at least 40,000 fans.

To host semis, stadiums must seat at least 60,000 and venues for the final at least 80,000.

AAMI Park, built by the Labor Government in 2010, has a maximum capacity of 30,500 but was reduced to less than 28,000 for the Women’s World Cup to accommodate sponsors and officials.

Marvel Stadium seats more than 53,000 and the MCG about 100,000, meaning either venue could technically be used for an Aussie World Cup.

But, while there are no rules against using oval stadiums for World Cup matches, FIFA sources last week said rectangle venues such as Sydney’s Stadium Australia which hosted the Women’s final and Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, were preferred.

Mr Johnson said fan “experience’’ at stadiums formed part of FIFA’s selection criteria.

“There are two ways – one is you build a new stadium that is the right size for a men’s world cup in Melbourne – that is one option,’’ he said.

“The other is you rectangularise a circular stadium and that would require a significant investment.

“But ultimately it is one of those two options.’’

The crowd number at FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinal between Australia and France at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Picture: Adam Head

The state government refused to say whether it would upgrade AAMI Park or build a bigger soccer stadium if Australia did land the FIFA World Cup.

It also failed to say why Victoria’s biggest rectangle stadium was not built to accommodate at least 40,000 fans.

Australia’s bid for the 2022 World Cup spent $46m spent on a pitch that won us one vote and saw the tournament go to Qatar.

Mr Johnson said: “we are dealing with a different FIFA administration and we are a different Football Australia administration.

“I think there is a very good feeling between Australia and how FIFA looks at Australia.

“All the comments I’ve had from FIFA officials have been very positive about this tournament and they are all talking about this being the best ever women’s world cup.

“So I think that we are in a very good space there.’’

He said Australia should also be buoyed by the fact Canada hosted the Womens World Cup in 2015 and will be a joint host of the 2026 men’s tournament, with the US and Mexico.

“What that shows is when counties and federations do the work and planning years in advance and make good decisions about where investments are needed, it pays off down the track,’’ he said.

“We should feel good about this.’’