To see the stars arrive for the final presentations...

 

The presentation featured actor Hugh Jackman, McPherson, Governor General Quentin Bryce and as part of a number of video presentations featuring PM Julia Gillard, Paul Hogan, Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe.

Ms Bryce told the Executive Committee that the World Cup would change Australia in ways that will benefit many generations of Australians and turbo-charge the growth of football in the Asia and Pacific regions.

“The Australian Government has issued every guarantee FIFA has sought, without amendments or variations,” Ms Bryce said.

“This whole-hearted commitment is made on behalf of all our State Governments, our Federal Government and the people of Australia.

“We will devote ourselves to creating for the entire world a World Cup that is fun, relaxed, safe and secure.”

The Federal Government was also represented by Sports Minister Mark Arbib who has spent the past few days supporting the bid delegation in Zurich.

The presentation also featured key members of the FFA’s bid team including Chairman Frank Lowy and CEO Ben Buckley who addressed the delegates.

Lowy told the Executive Committee that they should see Australia as a new opportunity for FIFA and for football.

“Not just in financial terms, important as that is,” Lowy said. “But it will also pay off because of the growth in the number of people who will play and watch football in our region, in the future.

“Every team will enjoy a local base of passionate ‘home country’ support.

“Teams from every country will be embraced by Australians who share their cultural roots and they will be adopted by schools and communities around the country.”

Attending the final presentation to support the delegation, Qantas Socceroo Tim Cahill said Australia would put on the best World Cup the world had seen.

“We have a beautiful and friendly country and our track record shows that we can do a fantastic job of holding major events,” he said.

“If given the chance we would show the world just how passionate we are about football and sport in general.

"We would roll out the biggest welcome ever to every team and every supporter and give them a World Cup to remember.”

One key point revealed was that FFA would set up a liaison office in Zurich to work with FIFA over the next 12 years if successful tomorrow night.

Lowy spoke passionately and pledged to show how emotional Australians were about the game of football.

“You will see how fantastically it is demonstrated watching the beautiful round ball being kicked around at the FIFA World Cup 2022. Choose Australia you will be in safe hands,” he said.

Buckley pushed the fact that in 2022 Asia would be the “economic engine of the world” and the message of a “no worries” World Cup.

Gillard also spoke on the video asking FIFA to “make our dreams comes true”.

McPherson arrived on stage and hugged Lowy thanking him for the work he’d done, before introducing an video by Australian Hollywood film-maker Phillip Noyce featuring a cartoon kangaroo that steals the World Cup and takes it around Australia.

Socceroo Tim Cahill joined Lowy, Buckley, Bryce and McPherson on stage to end the near-30 minute  presentation.

You can win a Come Play! goodie bag by liking us on Facebook and telling us why you think Australia should host the 2022 World Cup. Best answer will win.

To see the stars arrive for the final presentations...