SportBusiness.com

FIFA Ex-Co member appointed as new head of Japan bid

Junji Ogura has been named the Japan Football Association (JFA) new president – after Motoaki Inukai stood down for health reasons – and will also lead the country’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

The 71-year-old FIFA executive committee member said he does not look beyond seeing out the remaining two years of Inukai’s term.

“At my age I will be looking to retire in two years,” the former JFA vice president revealed.

“I'm surprised the job has suddenly come along but I was asked to step in,” he added.

Ogura will also be expected to find a new manager for the national team as Takeshi Okada resigned following Japan’s defeat to Paraguay on penalties in the round of 16 at this year’s South Africa World Cup.