Dunedin is about to head into extra time in the race to host the final of the 2015 Fifa Under-20 World Cup.
The city is locked in competition with other New Zealand centres to host matches, including the final, in the 52-game tournament.
The event was expected to be beamed to 200 million television viewers in 200 countries, providing exposure for Dunedin on a global stage.
However, a crucial visit by a Fifa delegation from Switzerland had been delayed and was now expected in January next year, Dunedin City Council special projects co-ordinator Kim Newman said.
Their decision on venues would be announced the following month, giving the city a little over two years to prepare for Fifa's second-biggest tournament and - possibly - the final.
Talk of Dunedin hosting a pool of matches began in March last year, when news New Zealand had secured hosting rights was confirmed, and by November last year had progressed to hopes the final could even be staged at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Miss Newman yesterday confirmed Dunedin's bid included a pitch for the final, but the decision would be made by the Fifa organising committee.
Asked what the city's chances were, Miss Newman said a letter from Fifa indicated not only the city was in "a good position", but having a roofed stadium would help.
"They were looking at a mid-year tournament, so having a roof on a stadium makes a big difference for that," she said.
The Fifa delegation had been expected by July this year, and an announcement due by last month, but Miss Newman said the reason for the delay was not clear.
If Dunedin's bid was successful, the council was expected to find funds for three payments to Fifa - each of $150,000 - over the next three years, to help cover tournament costs, councillors were told earlier this year.
That issue had been referred to the council subcommittee established to consider the stadium's future, and Miss Newman said no payments would be made until after the outcome of the bid was known.
