Japan Expresses 'Deep Disappointment' as 2031 Women's World Cup Dreams are Dashed

The president of Japan's football association expressed deep disappointment on Thursday after FIFA rejected Japan's bid to host the 2031 Women's World Cup. FIFA announced on Wednesday that only countries from North America and Africa would be allowed to bid for the tournament, with Europe or Africa hosting in 2035. Last year, Japan Football Association president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto had expressed his desire for Japan to host the event in order to elevate the status of women's football in the country.

Japan, who won the Women's World Cup in 2011, must now wait until 2039 at the earliest before they can host the tournament for the first time.

"For us, who were aiming to host the 2031 Women's World Cup, this is very disappointing news," Miyamoto said in a statement.

"But this decision doesn't change our aim to widen the spread of women's football, increase the playing population and raise the level of the women's game in Japan."

Miyamoto, who captained his country at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, had told AFP that Japan wanted to use the 2031 tournament to close the gap on Europe and North America.

Japan's women have not gone beyond the World Cup quarter-finals since they lost to the US in the 2015 final.

Miyamoto said Japan would consider a bid for the 2039 tournament and beyond.

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"To everyone associated with the game in this country, let's move forward together," he said.

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The 2027 Women's World Cup will be held in Brazil.

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)