InsideJapan News Network

Japan is among a number of Asian countries who are expected to bid to host the 2018 World Cup, it has been reported.

While Indonesia has already announced its candidacy, Japan and China are both believed to be preparing bids, reports the Mainichi Daily News.

Australia and Qatar will also be putting their names forward by the bidding deadline of February 2nd.

There is speculation that the global economic downturn may mean European contenders, such as England, Spain and Russia, will be favoured because they have existing stadiums and will not require a large amount of funding.

Motoaki Inukai, president of the Japanese Football Association, commented: "We will definitely need the success of the 2016 Tokyo Olympics bid.

"If they don't win it, it will be physically impossible for us to host the World Cup."

Japan jointly hosted the World Cup with South Korea in 2002.


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