A parade celebrating the All Whites' World Cup success could be part of the lead up to the Wellington Phoenix's game against leading Argentine soccer club Boca Juniors in Wellington next month.

Following the 0-0 draw with Paraguay and their exit from the cup, many of the team were due back in the country on Sunday, arriving in Auckland around 1pm with some flying on to Wellington, arriving at 5.30pm.

However, the bigger names, such as Ryan Nelsen, Winston Reid, Shane Smeltz and Rory Fallon will not be among them and coach Ricki Herbert is due back on Friday, as he spends time in South Africa and Hong Kong with his family.

Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast this week proposed a ticker-tape street parade to welcome the team home.

Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean said the council had been talking with NZ Football and everyone was keen on doing something when the team arrived back.

The main issue is only to know when all of the team would be back in the country!

"We wouldn't be doing anything without Ricki Herbert."
The Boca Juniors match, on July 23, figured large in the council's thinking, and it would be a good idea to have some sort of presentation at the match, he said.

Ms Prendergast suggested a parade could be capped off with Herbert receiving the keys to the city in recognition of his impressive coaching record with the All Whites and the Phoenix.

Mr MacLean said whether Herbert would be given the keys remained to be seen.

"Clearly we would want to make some sort of gesture because he is the man."

Prime Minister John Key ruled out a holiday in their honour but said a parade would be a good idea.

"It would be nice to see their result celebrated... they'll come back as champions."

Published in The Dominion Post on 25/06/2010