The Japanese football association have decided to withdraw from the race to host the 2018 World Cup although they still plan to campaign for the 2022 tournament.

The country join Mexico and Indonesia who also pulled out of the running for the 2018 event earlier in the process. Therefore, only six bids remain with four situated in Europe. These are England, Russia, Spain/Portugal, Belgium/Netherlands, USA and Australia. It seems as if a greater emphasis on hosting the competition in Europe was a factor in Japan’s eventual decision.

Motoaki Inukai, JFA president, said after speaking with FIFA: “We were told European countries would be in a fierce tussle for 2018 and that aiming for 2022 would the best choice.”

With the final decision to be made in December 2010, each nation’s campaign is now picking up the pace. Each country must submit their final bid book by the 14th May ahead of host city inspections in August and September. The campaigning will then enter the final stages with last ditch efforts to persuade the numerous FIFA voters of why their big is the best.