Football Federation Australia is launching a bold bid to host a prestigious Asian tournament, which would place the Young Socceroos in the spotlight.

Having not hosted a major youth tournament since the hugely successful FIFA Under 20 World Cup in 1993, FFA will lodge a formal submission to host the ASEAN Football Federation Under 19 youth championships in 2020 or 2021.

Northern Territory (Darwin) and Western Australia (Perth) could host the tournament, due largely to their proximity to South-East Asia as FFA seeks to re-establish it footprint in South-East Asia.

media_camera Young Socceroos Peter Tsekenis (r) and Darren Iocca block Brazil’s Marcelinho in the 1993 FIFA U20 World Cup semi final, played at Olympic Park.



The AFF U19 championships are scheduled for June. The Young Socceroos won this year’s edition just a few months ago, beating Malaysia 1-0 in the final.

FFA is also considering a bid for the AFF women’s tournament – in the same period.

With nearly one million Australians of ASEAN heritage or birth living in Australia, FFA’s Chief Operating Officer and Head of International Relations Mark Falvo believes the tournament would be well received and attended.

“The ASEAN region continues to develop into an economic and football powerhouse. It is a region with a deep passion for football,” Falvo said.

“FFA is committed to playing its part to help the game develop in our home region. We have been active in committees, the staging of council meetings, workshops and various development programs in recent years.

media_camera Brazil won the 1993 FIFA U20 World Cup, played in front of great crowds as the Australian public watched some of world football’s emerging stars.



“The next step is to host ASEAN competitions. Western Australia and the Northern Territory are geographically well-positioned to play a part, with governments that have prioritised engagement with South East Asia”.

The move comes as Australia attempts to strengthen its footprint in the AFC and AFF.

FFA chairman Chris Nikou was last April elected to the Executive Committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which represents all 47 nations who bid to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.

The AFF was formed in 1984 and represents 12 ASEAN nations (Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Lester and Vietnam).

media_camera FFA chairman Chris Nikou is on the AFC executive committee. Picture: AAP Image

It includes some of world football’s most rapidly improving nations, as Australia’s senior and youth national teams have experienced in recent years.

FFA attended the AFF Suzuki Cup – the senior tournament – in 2018, and there is talk of Australia joining the prestigious tournament, although logistic challenges remain as it is played outside of FIFA international windows.

A decision on the AFF U19 host is expected to be made in the coming months.