FIFA president Sepp Blatter breezed through Tokyo Tuesday and Wednesday for a series of meetings aimed at resolving a number of issues concerning the 2002 World Cup and next year's Confederations Cup.
Blatter confirmed that the Confederations Cup would take place next year and would feature the confederation champions -- Japan, France, Canada, Cameroon, Australia and Brazil -- and cohosts Japan and South Korea. As Japan doubles up as Asian champion, defending champion Mexico would make up the numbers. Japan Football Association president Shinichiro Okano pointed out there were still many details to be ironed out in the organization of the Cup.
The purpose of Blatter's visit was, to a large degree, a PR exercise to show that FIFA and the JFA are on the same page with regards to the World Cup and the Confederations Cup. Previously, the JFA was angered by Blatter's premature proclamation that Japan would cohost the Confederations Cup and some bitterness about the JFA's independence still lingers.