Australia's World Cup success Friday sparked calls from politicians for an Australian bid to host the 2018 tournament.

An Australia fan celebrates after the Group F World Cup 2006 soccer match between Croatia and Australia in Stuttgart June 22, 2006.[Reuters]

The state premiers of South Australia and New South Wales will make a joint submission to the July 14 meeting of the Council of Australian Governments, recommending that planning for a bid begin immediately.

Premiers Morris Iemma of New South Wales and Mike Rann of South Australian held a news conference in Sydney as Australians celebrated the 2-2 draw with Croatia that carried their team into the Cup's second round.

"We have all been inspired by the Socceroos' sensational performance in Germany this morning against Croatia," Iemma said.

"The FIFA World Cup remains the biggest major international sporting event (that) Australia has never hosted, so a well planned bid is the natural next step."

Rann proposed the formation of a planning team to develop Australia's submission to football's governing body, FIFA. He said major components of the bid, including infrastructure, facilities and security, would have to be in place by 2010.

"It is my belief that it's time for Australia as a nation to step up to host the world's biggest sporting event," Rann said.

"For Australia to be successful, the Australian government and all state governments would have to be involved in preparing a bid in conjunction with Football Federation Australia and major Australian business interests."

The premiers said they hoped Australian Prime Minister John Howard would support the bid proposal.

Iemma said Australia had eight of the 10 major stadiums and most of the infrastructure required to host a World Cup. Australia also has a reputation for successfully hosting major events after the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2003 Rugby World Cup, he said.