Sports Minister Kate Ellis will tomorrow officially announce the start of Australia's three-year campaign to try to win the right to host the event, which will pit them against England, who are the favourites to stage the World Cup for the first time since 1966.

 

She is expected to announce that matches will be held at, among others, Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, Melbourne's MCG and Telstra Dome and Sydney's ANZ Stadium and Football Stadium, which hosted the 2000 Olympics. 

 

The money will be directed towards staffing the bid, operating expenses, marketing and advertising and infrastructure planning.

 

Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the funding "sends a clear message to the football world that Australia is serious about hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup".

 

He said: "Hosting the FIFA World Cup will bring significant economic benefit to Australia and boost tourism, infrastructure and jobs around the country.

 

"Australia has an exemplary record in hosting international sporting events, having held the Olympic Games twice and Commonwealth/Empire Games four times.

 

"Our sporting infrastructure is also world class, with venues such as Melbourne's iconic MCG and Telstra Dome, Sydney's ANZ Stadium and Football Stadium and Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium matching the world's best."

 

The race to host the 2018 World Cup is expected to be the most competitive in the history of the competition.

 

Besides Australia and England, other countries expected to bid are a joint bid from Belgium and the Netherlands, Russia, China, the United States, Qatar, Mexico, Portugal and Spain.

 

A decision will be made by the FIFA ruling Executive Committee in December 2010, when they are also expected to choose a host country for the 2022 World Cup.

 

There are 24 members on the Committee, so 13 are needed for victory.

 

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has previously suggested Australia would be better off bidding for the 2022 World Cup, but FFA chairman Frank Lowy remains committed to 2018.