FIFA's executive committee on Wednesday authorised Australia's move from the Oceania confederation (OFC) to the Asian confederation (AFC). Australia had not been expected to be given approval until a FIFA Congress meeting in Morocco in September.
Mohamed bin Hammam, AFC president, said: "The FIFA executive committee decided to allow Australia to move now and I am very glad it has happened.
"It makes sense from both the Oceania point of view and for Asia it is good that we have another strong country."
Australia now become the 46th member of the AFC and the new status should have a hugely beneficial impact on the development of soccer in the country.
The move will change the dynamics of the sport in Asia and around the Pacific where Australia have been the dominant force for more than 30 years.
It will end a series of mis-matches which have included Australia crushing Pacific island nations American Samoa 31-0 and Tonga 22-0 in the last few years.
At the same time it will give Australia a far more realistic chance of reaching future World Cup finals - something they have not done since 1974 in West Germany.
Mohamed bin Hammam, AFC president, said: "The FIFA executive committee decided to allow Australia to move now and I am very glad it has happened.
"It makes sense from both the Oceania point of view and for Asia it is good that we have another strong country."
Australia now become the 46th member of the AFC and the new status should have a hugely beneficial impact on the development of soccer in the country.
The move will change the dynamics of the sport in Asia and around the Pacific where Australia have been the dominant force for more than 30 years.
It will end a series of mis-matches which have included Australia crushing Pacific island nations American Samoa 31-0 and Tonga 22-0 in the last few years.
At the same time it will give Australia a far more realistic chance of reaching future World Cup finals - something they have not done since 1974 in West Germany.
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