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Australia has formally submitted its bid to host the 2018 and the 2022 FIFA World Cups, the Football Federation Australia said Sunday.

"We have submitted Australia’s expression of interest in hosting either the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup tournaments," FFA Chairman Frank Lowy said.

FIFA has invited countries to express interest, by February 2, in either or both 2018 and 2022. It will choose the hosts of both tournaments in December 2010.

Australia will face competition from England, Belgium and the Netherlands, Japan, Mexico, Indonesia, Portugal and Spain, Qatar and Russia.

"This marks the beginning of a long and important journey, not just for football but for Australia, until we know the outcome in December next year," Lowy said in a statement.

"The bid will also help the world understand that Australia is a 'can do' country, where important, major events can happen with a minimum of fuss and a minimum of worry."

Lowy said FFA was unperturbed by reports of bids from a large and growing number of other countries.

"We are not surprised by the interest from across the world in hosting this prestigious event," he said.

"Football is a truly global sport, and sport not only has the power, but also a responsibility, to help unite people and nations.

"Australia understands this intuitively, and we know we have the capacity, experience and expertise to deliver a successful FIFA World Cup."

Lowy said the next milestone in the journey to host the FIFA World Cup will occur in mid-March when further bid documentation is required.

African countries are precluded from bidding for the 2018 tournament as the next World Cup, in 2010, will be staged in South Africa.

Latin American countries are ruled out of competition for both 2018 and 2022 as Brazil is to host the 2014 version.

FIFA said the region that provides the host in 2018 would be excluded from consideration for 2022.

(Source: AFC)