In an effort to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Japan in 2020, the first bidding committee was held on Wednesday 27 July with all the members in attendance. In the committee, their hosting plan was approved ahead of its submission to Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) on 5 August as well as the committee members discussed their bidding activity from then onwards.

At the beginning of the meeting, OGURA Junji, Japan Football Association Supreme Advisor and President of Japan Futsal Federation, said, "Nagoya Oceans clinched the AFC Futsal Club Championship and defeated teams from Iran and UAE, which are also bidding for the Futsal World Cup." He commented on Nagoya's third consecutive title.

Aichi Prefecture Governor OHMURA Hideaki, taking a role of committee's vice chairman, said, "we've been working on bidding activities for two years to host the Futsal World Cup in 2020. We are determined to make it with you all as one. Before the enthusiasm of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics cool down, we hope to hold the championship and promote us to the world.

Eight countries are bidding for the 9th FIFA Futsal World Cup 2020, including Croatia, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Iran, UAE and Japan. After turning in the final documents for the bid on 5 August, FIFA inspects the bidding countries in autumn and appoints the host country in the FIFA executive council in December.

Comments

OGURA Junji, Chairman of Japan Bid Committee (Japan Football Association Supreme Advisor/ President of Japan Futsal Federation)
In the meeting today with committee members, we decided our purpose and direction indicated in the hosting proposal. Futsal is more popular in Japan than other Asian countries, and there are a lot of women's futsal players as well. Asia, which has a great number of populations, will be a key to promote Futsal to the world. With Japan's unique ideas integrated into the proposal, we will try to win it.

OHMURA Hideaki, Vice Chairman of Japan Bid Committee (Aichi Prefecture Governor)
Aichi Prefecture has prepared for it since two years ago. Nagoya is the mecca of futsal. Compact hosting is feasible within Aichi Prefecture. And thoroughgoing security measures can be implemented as we proved it for the G7 Ise-shima Summit the other day. On top of that, we will try to promote grassroots football that FIFA is aiming for. I believe we can host the championship as wonderfully as any other countries can.

FIFA Futsal World Cup 2020 Bidding Process for Hosting Countries