FIFA Reaffirm Japan as Host of Club World Cup

FIFA have announced that Tokyo will retain hosting rights of December’s Club World Cup in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami after president Sepp Blatter met with Japan’s prime minister, Naoto Kan, the country’s minister for sports, education, culture, science and technology, Yoshiaki Takaki, and the president of the Japanese Football Association Junji Ogura on Monday, May 23.

Blatter said in a statement: “I am very pleased that we can come back and organise the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.

“More than that, I am pleased that we will contribute to rebuilding the J.League medical centre and football academy in the disaster area and that, together with our partners adidas, we will provide thousands of equipment items for Japanese children.”

Three FIFA Goal projects worth US$500,000 a piece will help fund the necessary construction and the news comes as a further boost to the nation, a day after October’s gymnastics world championships were reaffirmed for the capital.

The Club World Cup is FIFA’s seven-team showcase pitting the host country’s top club against the champions from all six continents. C.F. Monterrey and Auckland City F.C. will head to Tokyo for the December 8-18 finals with representatives from UEFA, CONMEBOL, AFC and CAF still to be crowned.

Prime Minister Kan added: “We are grateful for FIFA’s decision to bring the Club World Cup to Japan, especially because of what it means to the children, and we will make sure that all preparations are in place.”