How the Socceroos World Cup qualifier can boost Canberra's A-League bid

The Socceroos will play their first game in Canberra in four years when they host Nepal in a 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup qualifier at Canberra Stadium.

It will be the first chance for A-League bosses and the FFA to assess support in Canberra after the city's bid for an expansion licence was snubbed last year.

Bid leader Michael Caggiano and his team are still working on a plan to be added to the A-League in the coming seasons and a crowd of 20,000 or more for the Socceroos' match would be a timely boost.

But Canberra has been burned in the past by the FFA using an A-League licence as a lure to get fans to internationals in the past.

The FFA said a crowd of more than 20,000 would help Canberra's A-League hopes 10 years ago. It worked and 20,032 turned up, but the A-League entry never eventuated.

Caggiano said the capital's soccer passion was evident and said the Socceroos return was a chance to connect with the high-level competition fans have been craving.

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"Let's get behind the Socceroos and fill [Canberra] Stadium with a sea of green and yellow," Caggiano said.

"I don't think we need to prove our credentials anymore, or our appetite for professional football, that time has come and passed.

"Over the last year the response we have seen from the local community has been phenomenal, a deep engaged connection to the game, and something we're sure will come out once again on out on occasions like this.

"What I will say is I urge all people from our region to once again go and enjoy professional football, an experience we're still actively working on making a more common thing in Canberra in future A-League seasons."

The Socceroos haven't played in Canberra since 19,500 watched their World Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan in 2015.

More than 12,000 tickets were sold within three days of going on sale for the Kyrgyzstan match, which featured home-town hero Tom Rogic, Mile Jedinak and Tim Cahill.

Capital Football boss Phil Brown hopes to draw a larger crowd at Canberra Stadium this year, which has the capacity to seat 25,011 people plus standing room.

"We'd love to see a really strong crowd supporting the Socceroos in Canberra," Brown said. "It's been a long time since we've had a national team, being the Socceroos or Matildas."

"It was a great turnout for the last match so we'd love to see more of that this time around."

The Socceroos are aiming for a fifth-consecutive World Cup appearance and head one of eight groups for the joint-qualification round.

They will host four qualifiers over the next 12 months, playing against Nepal, Kuwait, Chinese Taipei and Jordan.

The Canberra clash will be the first time the Socceroos meet Nepal, who are the lowest-ranked nation of the group at world No.166.

Brown said hosting the lowest-ranked nation should not affect the turnout at Canberra Stadium.

"They're all important matches being World Cup qualifiers and we've got every right to feel confident going it but you can't be complacent with these games," Brown said.

"Nepal has improved a lot over recent years and have gone up thirty places in the FIFA rankings since 2015. It'll be a big game."

It comes just two months after Capital Football secured $20 million in ACT government funding to build a new centre of excellence at Throsby by 2021.

Capital Football will add $4.5 million of its own money and the overall deal includes FFA bringing three international fixtures to the city.

Canberra will host three international matches over the next 18 months, with the Socceroos, Matildas and Young Matildas to play one match each.

The Matildas, who have been absent in the capital for more than six years, will play a Cup of Nations game or a friendly.

Brown praised the ACT Government and FFA for delivering the first international fixture within months of the announcement.

"It shows they see the potential and the support for football within the ACT," Brown said.

"We have a good base and we're looking forward to seeing how we can turn that into supporters at the ground to cheer the team on.

"Canberra has a really good history of putting on events and supporting national teams."

Tickets for the Socceroos' World Cup qualifier at Canberra Stadium go on sale to the general public on Thursday, August 15.

SOCCEROOS WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Australia v Nepal: Thursday, October 10 at Canberra Stadium