[5] After realising that Brazil were overwhelmingly likely to receive the hosting rights - which they did in 2007 - Football Federation Australia (FFA) focused on a formal bid for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, announcing their intention to do so in July 2006.

At the proposed time of the World Cup during the northern hemisphere summer, these facilities are normally in regular season use by Australian rules football and the rugby codes.

[17] The use of shared venues remained the only option for the bid, with the Australian authorities unwilling to invest massive amounts of money in new association football-only stadia.

[20] The seasons for Australia's football codes are as follows: Several stories[21][22][23] in the Australian media questioned the restrictions and privileges that FIFA would have demanded of host cities at taxpayer expense, in addition to the need to have built and improved so many stadia[24][25] or whether "mega-events" like the World Cup are cost-effective.

[28] A study by global research firm IBISWorld claimed that the 2022 World Cup would have been worth $35.5 billion to the Australian economy – four times the amount generated by the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

In December 2008, Federal Minister for Sport Kate Ellis announced that the Australian Government would give FFA $45.6 million[31] to fund its World Cup bid preparation.

[citation needed] At the launch, FFA chairman Frank Lowy AC said the people of Australia were its "secret weapon" to snaring the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup and encouraged the public to join the social networking website.

[37] Actress Nicole Kidman, actor Hugh Jackman, model Elle Macpherson[38] and sports stars Ian Thorpe (swimming), Liz Ellis (netball), Mark Webber (Formula One) and Steve Waugh (cricket)[39] joined to help promote the bid.

[51][52] Bonita Mersaides reportedly expressed reservations about the extent to which FFA was seeking to muster support for the 2022 World Cup bid, but was dismissed from her role as Head of Corporate and Public Affairs in January 2010.

[53][54] In 2017, Four Corners reported that Football Australia spent $5,000,000 on projects in the ASEAN sub-confederation in an apparent attempt to influence Worawi Makudi's vote on the selection committee.

[58] Former SBS The World Game journalist Jesse Fink scrutinised Les Murray's decision to recommend Peter Hargitay as a consultant for FFA's failed bid.

Fink claimed that Murray sent him an email stating "It is not a good look if we – SBS – the most powerful voice in football, appear to talk down the bid or declare it stillborn".

Australia would eventually host the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup with New Zealand, succeeding against Colombia's bid by 22 votes to 13.

[70] In October 2023, Football Australia announced its intention to bid alone for the tournament,[71] before ultimately withdrawing after baulking at the prospect of challenging Saudi Arabia for the hosting rights.