The success of the 2015 Asian Cup on home soil for Australia is likely to land the Football Federation of Australia a cash cow this year including a naming rights sponsor for the Socceroos worth more than $12 million.
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Australia's triumph over South Korea in Saturday's final has captured the imagination of the Australian sporting public and further strengthened football's push into the mainstream of the national psyche. Just as important for the game, however, are the financial benefits that will follow, with the governing body expecting a lucrative sponsorship deal for the national team to be accelerated following the continental triumph. Since June 2013, the senior mens' national team has not had primary commercial agreement following the end of Qantas' deal before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It is understood the FFA has been in negotiations with several companies over replacing Qantas as the naming- rights partner of the Socceroos.
The victory is also expected to lead to a significant boost in player numbers for 2015 with local amateur clubs only recently opening registration for the year. The increase in participants will provide another cash injection into the game, as well as strengthening the foundations of football. On Sunday morning, fans flocked to a public celebration in Sydney's CBD for the national team, following their Asian Cup triumph.
Fairfax Media understands the FFA is set to bring Australia's upcoming World Cup qualifying matches to Perth, Adelaide and regional cities this year to expand the profile of the Socceroos following their triumph.
Australia will have little time to revel in their success before turning their attention to the 2018 World Cup qualification process which will begin in June as part of the new format. In the new process, Australia will probably play an extra four games than the in the 2014 World Cup qualifying series, which will allow the national team to play competitive fixtures in cities such as Wollongong, Canberra, Newcastle, Perth and Adelaide.
The FFA will use the opportunity to bring matches against smaller opponents to venues who did not host qualifiers for the past World Cup. Only Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne hosted games in the two stages of 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
The first stage that Australia will enter is the qualification process has been expanded from 20 teams to 40 for the 2018 World Cup hosted by Russia. Australia will have the chance to play the likes of India and Indonesia in the first stage.
