The Japan Football Association (JFA) revealed its plan to bid for the right to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups at an executive committee meeting in Kanazawa.
It is believed however that the World Cup bids are dependent on the success of Tokyo's attempt to stage the 2016 Olympic Games.
“We will definitely need the success of the 2016 Tokyo Olympics hosting bids,” said JFA president Motoaki Inukai. “If they don't win it, it will be physically impossible for us to host the World Cup.
“We have to co-operate with them in various parts. We will offer our full support to help them host the Olympics.”
Japan co-hosted the World Cup with South Korea in 2002 but does not currently have a stadium large enough to satisfy current FIFA regulations. Tokyo’s Olympics bid contains plans to construct a 120,000 capacity arena, which would fulfill the 80,000-seater stadium requirement by FIFA to host the opening ceremony and final.
FIFA – world football's governing body - has set a deadline of February 2 2009 for bids to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
