Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley has confirmed a western Sydney team will play in the A-League next season.
Speaking to the media in Sydney on Wednesday, Buckley announced the establishment of a new club for an area considered by some as football's heartland in Australia.
With Prime Minister Julia Gillard and local MPs in attendance, Buckley said the FFA believes both the timing and model is right for an A-League club in western Sydney.
"Yes, it has taken time to get an A-League club into western Sydney, but now the time is right, and I believe that the model is right," Buckley said.
"We intend to build a model that incorporates the community."
The new club will have just six months to be ready, assuming the A-League begins in October as it did this season.
Despite the tight timeframe, Buckley confirmed the FFA considers the establishment of a western Sydney club as a crucial step in the league's development.
"This is a major strategic investment from the FFA in the future of football," Buckley said.
Speaking prior to Buckley, Gillard announced the federal government would provide $8 million in funding toward football in western Sydney.
The funding would focus on grass-roots participation, including $1 million towards women's football, as well as the redevelopment of Football NSW's headquarters at Valentine Sports Park, in the western suburb of Glenwood, which may double as the administration centre for the new A-League entity.