TOKYO – The Japan Football Association plans to join a bid to host the 2046 FIFA World Cup, it was learned on Friday.

If successful, Japan would host World Cup finals matches for the first time in 44 years, having last done so when it co-hosted the tournament with South Korea in 2002.

The JFA aims to be part of joint hosting by the East Asian Football Federation, to which the Japanese association belongs, and the ASEAN Football Federation.

The two federations held a meeting this March and agreed to consider hosting the World Cup together.

Japan, South Korea and China, as well as Indonesia and Australia, which have abandoned their plans for cohosting the 2034 World Cup, have voiced interest in staging matches for the 2046 event.

The JFA hopes to host its second World Cup by 2050, as well as win it as host nation. (Jiji Press)