Japan resumes its campaign for a place at the 2010 World Cup this month against Australia, but the nation's power brokers are already setting their sights on a more distant — and potentially more rewarding — edition of the tournament.
On Monday, FIFA will open letters of intent sent by countries hoping to stage the 2018 or 2022 World Cups, beginning a bidding process that will be resolved in December 2010. Among those sent to the world governing body's headquarters in Switzerland will be one from Japan.
And it will certainly have company. No fewer than 11 bids are expected from countries as varied as Russia, the United States, Australia, Qatar and Indonesia, marking the first time interested parties have been invited to apply for two tournaments at the same time.