Japan plans to bid for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups but is counting on first winning the competition to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, the head of the football association said on Friday.
FIFA on Thursday sent out letters inviting simultaneous bids for the two events and asked for responses by February 2.
“We have decided to declare our candidacy to FIFA,” Japan Football Association president Motoaki Inukai said in the central city of Kanazawa, as quoted by the Sports Nippon website.
“One absolute condition is that Tokyo must win its bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games.
“If Tokyo fails, it would be physically impossible to stage the World Cup.”
Japan has no stadiums with more than 80,000 seats — a requirement set by FIFA.
The Japan Football Association plans to use the main Olympic stadium and a renovated national stadium if Tokyo wins the 2016 Olympics.
Japan co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with South Korea, the first time football’s premier tournament has come to Asia.
FIFA’s executive committee will pick host nations for the next two World Cups in December 2010.
To ensure the World Cup travels across continents, South American countries are excluded from hosting either event as it will take place in Brazil in 2014. African nations cannot run for the 2018 World Cup as South Africa is next year’s host.
In his letter, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke cautioned that if a country from a particular confederation hosted the event in 2018, other countries in that region would be out of the running for the following one.
Host nations must be able to provide about 12 stadiums with at least 40,000 seats along with an 80,000-seater for the opening match and final. The host must also have highly developed communications, transport and accommodation.
Tokyo is bidding for the Olympics against Chicago, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro. The International Olympic Committee will make a decision in October this year at a meeting in Copenhagen.
Tokyo hosted the 1964 Summer Games, remembered as a symbol of Japan’s dramatic rise from the ashes of World War II into the world’s second largest economy.
But unlike the 1964 Olympics, the latest Tokyo bid has also had vocal local critics who question whether the world’s biggest metropolis needs the cost and commotion of a massive sporting event.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Japan presents us with zero competition. 2018 is already decided, but even 2022 is only 20 years since they last part-hosted. Mexico did it twice in 16 years, but under very different circumstances, that may never present themselves again (if SA see it through). Forget about Japan - not a player in either vote.
Koala Bear
Guest
Midfielder, If you read my comment on subject earlier; it is if he wisely read my thoughts on the matter and is claiming the credit... Well all I can say is .. I'm glad I could be of service :lol: ~~~~~~~~ KB
Midfielder
Guest
KB Tho you would enjoy reading this link its something we have both said we want for a long time http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/a-league/asia-sweetener-for-national-knockout-cup/2009/01/15/1231608888640.html sorry others this is off topic but is shown no where else.
Koala Bear
Guest
dasilva, RE WC: That's what they want you to believe... :lol: SFC went down tonight 3 - 0 19+k ... Fantastic match, even tho I did not get the result I wanted .. I think the ROAR showed enough tonight to make the final.. I hope it's in Brisbane, they will pack the Suncorp Stadium out with 50k (full house) ~~~~~~~~~ KB
dasilva
Guest
KB I don't think Frank Lowy had anything to do with it. The official press release from FFA when Japan announced their bid was that FFA were quite surprised that Japan had bid for the world cup (however are still confident in their own bid).
Koala Bear
Guest
Japan, is only foxing and who knows; Frank Lowy may have asked them to make noises to counter the other European bids .. I bet Frank Lowy is up to something here... Something that is gong on behind the scenes that we don't know about .. ;) ~~~~~~~~ KB
Joe FC
Guest
I think you are right Dave, Japan have virtually no chance of hosting 2018 or 2022. And Dickroo even if China declares its intention to host they are far from a certain bet.
AJB
Guest
Japan will not win either. They will just damage our bid.
Dave
Guest
l think the fact that Japan hosted a WC only 6 yrs ago - 16 by the time of the 2018 WC) will work against it. IMO the issues at the 2008 Olympics with Tibet, freedom of speech etc will also work against China in future such bids for the WC/Olympics. Not that it would be stated that way by FIFA, but there were lessons to be learnt.
Dickroo
Guest
money talks, too bad for Australia. If China also declare its bid, Australia's chance to host the WC 2018/22 would be at least halved. These two East Asian countries are virtually able to host the game next week. Wish Frank Lowy all the best.