The dream of hosting the 2046 FIFA World Cup is sparking excitement across Asia, especially in South Korea, where fans are thrilled by the possibility of the tournament returning to the region. But international media reports suggest a different narrative: Japan may be positioning itself as the central figure, leaving Korea and other nations as mere supporting hosts.
According to multiple Japanese media outlets on July 18, the Japan Football Association (JFA) is considering a joint bid with East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) and ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) member countries to host the 2046 World Cup. This marks a potential return of the World Cup to Asia for the first time since the 2002 Korea-Japan tournament, exactly 44 years prior.
Kyodo News reported that Japan is exploring a multi-nation bid including South Korea, China, Indonesia and Australia. The Yomiuri Shimbun echoed this, saying that plans are materializing to co-host the tournament with EAFF and AFF member states.
The idea was first discussed during a joint meeting of EAFF and AFF held in Tokyo in March. Tsuyoshi Miyamoto, newly appointed JFA President and EAFF Vice President, said at the time, “There is no written agreement yet, but there’s consensus that a joint bid would be positive.”
FIFA’s New Preference: Multi-Nation Hosting
FIFA’s recent trend favors multi-nation tournaments. The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The 2030 edition will be split across Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay—covering three continents.
Thus, a multi-national bid by Asian nations seems to align with this trajectory.
Global Media Reacts: Japan at the Center
Global football media outlet FootBoom reported the news, noting, “If this bid succeeds, it will be the first World Cup in Asia since 2002, after a 44-year gap.”
However, the outlet also pointed out infrastructure challenges: FIFA requires at least 14 stadiums with 40,000+ seats, 60,000+ for semifinals, and 80,000+ for the final. Currently, neither Korea nor Japan has a stadium that meets the 80,000-seat final requirement.
This indicates a massive investment and construction effort would be needed, making a joint bid essential, not optional.
FootBoom listed potential host countries as: Japan, South Korea, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia.
It noted that partnering with economically growing Southeast Asian nations is a strategic move.
Japan’s Bigger Ambition?
Interestingly, Japan is also reportedly preparing to bid for the 2039 FIFA Women’s World Cup, showing the nation’s growing confidence and ambition in global football hosting.
The media outlet concluded with a strong note, “In 2002, Japan and Korea co-hosted the first-ever shared World Cup, igniting national passion. If the 2046 bid succeeds, Japan could once again stand at the center of the global football stage.”
What About Korea?
While South Korean fans are already dreaming of another World Cup on home soil, concerns are rising that Japan may dominate the spotlight, relegating Korea to a secondary role. With FIFA’s bidding process for 2046 not expected to begin for another decade, the real test will be sustained preparation and international cooperation.
But one thing is certain: If this East Asian bid becomes reality, the FIFA World Cup could return to Korea, Japan, and Asia’s doorstep sooner than expected.
Sources: Nate
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