Japan Pulls Out of the 2013 and 2014 FIFA Club World Cup to Focus on Women’s Football

Morocco is now favourite to stage the 2013 and 2014 FIFA Club World Cup, prescription after the Japanese Football Association (JFA) ruled out the possibility of bidding for the tournaments. Japan will stage the 2011 and 2012 editions of the competition. FIFA confirmed that Iran, medicine South Africa and the United Arab Emirates had pulled out in October, ed leaving a clear path for Morocco to become the first African country to stage the tournament. JFA President Junji Ogura’s reasoning behind the decision to shelf the hosting rights is to focus on securing leading women’s events. The women’s game in Japan is on a high following the national team’s World Cup triumph in July, defeating the United States in the final. “If we have it every year, it makes it difficult to host other competitions,” said Ogura said “If we want to stage the Under-20 World Cup or the Women’s World Cup it makes sense not to bid (for the Club World Cup in 2013 and 2014).” Club World Cup Organising Committee chairman Chuck Blazer highlighted FIFA’s support for Japan following the devastation caused by March’s earthquake and tsunami. He said: “I think it (the Club World Cup) is a wonderful opportunity, after those natural tragedies, to be of assistance. “FIFA is assisting with six projects in different venues, and donating US$6 million. I also think the fact that we indicated earlier this year that we would be going ahead with the tournament here was crucial in showing support for Japan and local football.”