8 Feb 2012

NZ says it's could host World Cup qualifying tournament

7:45 am on 8 February 2012

New Zealand could also host June's Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament in the wake of Fiji being stripped of hosting rights for next month's Olympic qualifier.

The Olympic qualifier for the men's under-23 competition will now be held in Taupo.

The Oceania Football Confederation has moved the tournament after the Fiji government threatened legal action against OFC secretary general, Tai Nicholas, following comments he made about the country's judicial system.

The World Cup qualifying tournament is scheduled to be held in Fiji from June 3rd to 11th.

The chief executive of New Zealand football Grant McKavanagh says they were approached in December about hosting the Olympic qualifier and he says hosting the Oceania Nations Cup which doubles as a World Cup qualifier is also a possibility.