More Socceroos at Suncorp

The Socceroos are set to play five matches in Queensland over the next five years following an agreement between Football Federation Australia (FFA) and the Queensland Government.

The games will include next month's key World Cup qualifier against Qatar at Suncorp Stadium, two 2014 World Cup qualifiers, as well as a 2011 Asian Cup qualifier and an international friendly.

At least four of the matches will be held at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, with the Gold Coast's Skilled Park or Townsville's Dairy Farmers Stadium a possibility to host the Asian Cup qualifier or friendly.

FFA chief executive Ben Buckley signed the agreement along with Queensland sports minister Judy Spence at Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday.

"To be able to sit here today and make such a strong commitment to the growth of football in Queensland is something that we are proud about," Buckley said.

Spence, who was presented with a personalised Socceroos jersey by Buckley after the announcement, said the agreement would be a boost for both football and the economy in Queensland.

"Five Socceroos games over five years is going to be very important in building soccer in Queensland," Spence said.

"I think it shows a vote of confidence that we can hold these international matches and do it very well, as Ben said, we've got some of the finest football stadiums."

Buckley said the dates and venues for the scheduled friendly and Asian Cup qualifier were still up in the air.

"That's really a matter of who we're playing, when we're playing, what sort of crowd we would expect," he said.

"We haven't seen the final schedule for all of the Asian Cup qualification matches."

"Time will tell which games will go where, but we're very confident that we will be able to bring some important matches to both Townsville and Gold Coast in time."

Australia is scheduled to host Kuwait in an Asian Cup qualifier on January 14 in 2009 and Buckley suggested there is a chance this game could be played at either Skilled Park or Dairy Farmers Stadium.

"We're still working on the final dates for those because we've got such a heavy schedule of A-League finals and World Cup qualifiers on in February, we're still fine tuning those dates."

"But yes, that match could be a possibility to be in Townsville or on the Gold Coast."

"They're both great venues and great cities."