Japan Leads Seven-Nation World Cup 2046 Bid With Thailand
Japan is leading a seven-nation bid to host the 2046 FIFA World Cup, partnering with South Korea, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore—all possessing stadiums that meet FIFA standards.
The Japan Football Association (JFA) is preparing a joint hosting proposal for the 2046 FIFA World Cup with two East Asian nations and four Southeast Asian countries, excluding only Vietnam due to infrastructure challenges. The consortium comprises three East Asian countries—Japan, South Korea, and China—alongside four Southeast Asian nations: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, all with certified football stadiums. Malaysia will provide the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, accommodating nearly 90,000 spectators; Indonesia offers two venues with capacities exceeding 80,000, including the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium and Jakarta International Stadium; Thailand features the Rajamangala Stadium with 70,000 capacity; and Singapore's National Stadium holds 55,000 spectators. Vietnam, despite being a large nation, was excluded from the proposal due to limited and deteriorating sports infrastructure—its Mỹ Đình National Stadium has only 40,000 seats and has faced heavy criticism in recent years for poor condition and outdated design. The 2046 World Cup will adopt an expanded format, first introduced in 2026, featuring 48 participating teams and requiring more comprehensive logistics and facilities; the tournament may accommodate even more teams by 2046. The host selection process is scheduled for around 2031.
