NEWS

Japan’s 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bid team made a presentation to international journalists on Friday shortly before the draw for the 2010 World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.

JFA President Motoaki Inukai, Vice President and FIFA Executive Committee member Junji Ogura and General Secretary Kohzo Tashima attended the session.
A four-minute video from each of the nine bidders was shown to the journalists on a giant screen at the Leeuwenhof Estate on the outskirts of Cape Town. Interview sessions with officials also took place.
“I can tell that all the bidders here are making strong efforts to win the bid,” Inukai told reporters. “I can feel their determination.”
“We have taken a slight step back with our campaign because of the political changes in our country, but I’m sure we will catch up now that our government has reacted positively to our campaign.”
Inukai said that Japan’s bid is expected to gain approval at a Cabinet meeting next week.
“The government is offering us full support, as they know the significance of hosting the World Cup from their experience in 2002,” he added.
Asked about the effect of the current economic situation, the JFA President replied: “It’s not about money. It is true that hosting the World Cup can boost the Japanese economy, as many people will visit our country. However, we are hoping to make the Japanese people realize the benefit of sport.”
In addition to Japan, Australia, England, Indonesia, Russia, the United States and co-hosting bidders Holland/Belgium and Spain/Portugal are bidding for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, while Korea Republic and Qatar are bidding for the 2022 event only.
The successful bidders will be announced in December 2010.