South Korea has officially informed FIFA of its intention to host the World Cup again, either in 2018 or else 2022. The Asian country believes that it has proven itself enough in the South Korea-Japan 2002 World Cup to launch an attractive bid on its own. Its former partner Japan has decided to do the same and launch its own separate bid. Due to the fact that FIFA prefers single-country hosts rather than joint bids, obviously for reasons of transportation costs among others, the two Asian giants stand a better chance with filing separate bids.

 

Other bids coming from the East come in the form of already mentioned Japan, Australia, Qatar and Indonesia. England being favourites for the 2018 event excludes Europe from the 2022 World Cup. Hence, it will be either America or Asia which hosts the big event. Both hosts will be announced on the same day in December 2010. South Korea has the advantage that it has already showcased the country’s capabilities very recently, and thus provides a strong contender for the hosting rights, as well as a big rival for 2022-hopeful USA. Also, it proved that the country is not an easy team to beat, after reaching the semi-final of the 2002 competition under the guidance of the great Guus Hiddink.

[Daegu Stadium: 68 thousand seats]

 

The stadiums used for the 2002 World Cup were:

Daegu Blue-Arc Stadium: 68014

Seoul Sang-am Stadium: 64677

Busan Asiad Main Stadium: 55983

Incheon Munhak Stadium: 52179

Big Crown Stadium: 43550

Suwon Bigbird Stadium: 43188

Guus Hiddink Stadium: 42880

Jeonju Castle: 42391

Jeju World Cup Stadium: 42256

Purple Arena: 40407

 

The Final was held in the Japanese Yokohama Stadium, with a capacity of 70000, so the Daegu and Seoul stadium only need a minor expansion to reach the 70000 minimum capacity for the opening match and Final to be held. The Korean Football Association, through the new recently-elected chief Cho Chung-yun:

 

“There is a strong chance that either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup will come to Asia but even if there was only a 10% chance, we would have to get ready.”

 

“We want to make the people excited. It was not a sudden decision, we have been looking into this for some time.”  

“We all know the effect that 2002 had on the people. If we do it host the World Cup once again, the effect will be huge.” – KFA chief Cho Chung-yun