The six-man FIFA inspection team, led by Chilean Football Federation President Harold Mayne-Nicholls, have been in the country for three days inspecting facilities - and have been impressed by what they've seen

"We must conclude that this country seems to be prepared in all the aspects to organize the World Cup in 2022," said Mayne-Nicholls tonight.

"During the visit we had the chance to learn a lot about your country and especially about football in Australia.

"We are proud to know that programs such as Football United are used as a vehicle for social improvements that will help to build better communities: also it was very impressive to read that the growth of football in Australia in the last decade has been 60 per cent and that at the moment there are more than 600,000 players registered.

"We also learnt that major events are not new for this country and we remembered such great moments in the history of sport in Australia when at the Olympic Stadium Cathy Freeman talked about her gold medal at the 2000 Olympics and when John Aloisi described his feelings before and after the penalty kick that took you to the World Cup in 2006.

"The visit to the Sports National Museum in Melbourne was very special and such a museum is for sure one of the best in the world."

They added: "We also heard about the promises to deliver new first class stadiums and to renovate the existing ones, the implementation of volunteers programs, the improvements in telecommunications and transportation that will take place.

"And beside all that that, if the World Cup comes to Australia in 2022, it will be more than a football tournament with four important areas in social development, including the Oceania countries in this program."

But it was a dinner with the Prime Minister in the middle of her election campaign that stood out for the team, especially with the presence Coalition Leader Tony Abbott reinforcing the cross-party support for the World Cup bid..

"We appreciate the dinner that Prime Minister Julia Gillard gave us upon our arrival at Kiribilli House," Mayne-Nicholls said. "For us, it was very impressive to know that the Opposition to the Government was also present at such a dinner.

"Beside that the commitment of the country seems to be outstanding, taking into consideration that both parties, in the middle of an election process, made time to enjoy a wonderful evening with us."

The team paid tribute to the FFA for managing to cram in visits to three cities and a string of VIP meetings.

"My sincere thanks to the members of the Bid Committee, and Football Federation Australia, they together did an excellent job during our stay," said Mayne-Nicholls.

"We could check different venues and stadiums, airports and transportation systems, conventions and congress centers and also had the chance to meet the sponsors of the bid and to hear about the economic and financial condition of Australia and some predictions about the situation for the region in future years.

"Also thanks to all of the community and the authorities that treated us in a wonderful way and to all the footballers, boys and girls, present at some inspection site visits and to the police that did a magnificent job.

"About the visit, we all agree that it was organized in a very professional way."