27 February 2012, SYDNEY \u2013\u00a0 Australia has again secured the rights to stage a FIFA Interactive World Cup Live Qualifying Event for 2012, beating out other countries to be one of only 11 countries in the world to host the live tournaments. Pre-qualifying events will be staged at EB Games stores in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Gold Coast and Rockhampton from 6pm on Thursday March 22.\u00a0 For the very first time, participants from all over the country will now have the chance to compete in the tournament.\u00a0 The winner from each of the pre-qualifiers will be flown to Sydney on April 4 for the final event, to compete against each other and determine Australia\u2019s best player. The pre-qualifying events will be held from 6pm on Thursday March 22 at the following EB Games Store locations:<\/p>\n
NSW \u2013 Westfield Miranda, Miranda NSW \u2013 Top Ryde City, Ryde NSW \u2013 Charlestown Square, Newcastle QLD \u2013 Robina Town Centre, Gold Coast QLD \u2013 Rockhampton Fair, Rockhampton SA \u2013\u00a0 Rundle Mall, Adelaide VIC \u2013 Knox City, Melbourne WA \u2013 Cannington, Perth<\/p>\n
For further details of store locations, check out www.ebgames.com.au\/stores<\/a> Players must register online to secure a spot in the pre-qualifying events at www.fiwcaustralia.com.au<\/a> Organised by FIFA and presenting partners EA SPORTS\u2122 and PlayStation\u00ae – the FIFA Interactive World Cup combines online and offline football tournaments played with EA SPORTS\u2122 FIFA 12 on PlayStation\u00ae3 (PS3\u2122). Last year, just under 900,000 players from around the world participated in the 2011 event, with Australia\u2019s own Mark Azzi competing in the Grand Final event, achieving a very impressive third place. \u201cI\u2019m so excited to have won!\u201d Mark said, \u201cMy father came for the final, and just seeing him there made me cry.\u00a0 I just used to remember that line he used to tell me when I was sitting at home, he used to say \u2018Mark, get off the PlayStation, you\u2019re going no-where\u2019, and I used to tell him, \u2018Dad, I\u2019ll show you one day!\u2019 and today I showed him!!\u201d Places in the tournament are limited, and will fill up fast.\u00a0 Players must register online to secure a spot in the pre-qualifying events at www.fiwcaustralia.com.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 27 February 2012, SYDNEY \u2013\u00a0 Australia has again secured the rights to stage a FIFA Interactive World Cup Live Qualifying Event for 2012, beating out other countries to be one of only 11 countries in the world to host the live tournaments. Pre-qualifying events will be staged at EB Games stores in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne,<\/p>\n
\nThe player who wins the FIWC Australian Qualifying Event will be invited to compete at the international Grand Final event later in the year, for their chance to win $20,000 as well as being awarded their FIWC trophy at the annual FIFA Players Gala alongside such football luminaries as David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Ricardo Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres, Lionel Messi, Tim Cahill and many more.<\/p>\n