Japan proposes joint bid for 2046 World Cup with East, Southeast Asian countries; Vietnam not included

According to the Japan Football Association (JFA), the proposed bid would include three countries from East Asia – Japan, South Korea, and China – along with four Southeast Asian nations Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

The bid is part of the efforts to bring the World Cup back to Asia for the first time since 2022, when Qatar hosted the tournament.

Japan and South Korea last co-hosted the event in 2002.

Stadium requirements key to selection

Under FIFA rules, countries seeking to host the World Cup must meet stringent requirements regarding stadium capacity, training facilities, and commercial infrastructure.

The technical evaluation report, which assesses the host nations’ ability to deliver on those standards, is a critical component of the bidding process.

The four Southeast Asian countries included in the joint bid proposal all possess large, modern stadiums that meet or approach FIFA’s requirements.

Malaysia’s Bukit Jalil National Stadium seats nearly 90,000 spectators.

Indonesia has two stadiums with capacities above 80,000 – Gelora Bung Karno and Jakarta International Stadium.

Thailand’s Rajamangala Stadium holds 70,000, while Singapore’s National Stadium seats 55,000.

Each of these countries also has multiple secondary stadiums in the 30,000–50,000 range and training facilities built to international standards.

Vietnam left out over limited infrastructure

Vietnam was not included in the proposed joint bid, primarily due to limited and aging sports infrastructure.

The country’s largest venue, My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, holds just over 40,000 and has drawn criticism in recent years for its deteriorating condition and outdated design.

Vietnam has not built a new major national stadium since My Dinh opened in 2003, and efforts to renovate or replace existing facilities have faced delays due to budget constraints and bureaucratic hurdles.

Even in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest economic hub, plans for a 50,000-seat stadium at the Rach Chiec Sports Complex has been a blueprint for more than three decades.

Meanwhile, countries such as Malaysia are already upgrading existing infrastructure.

The Shah Alam Stadium in Selangor, once seating over 80,000, was recently demolished to make way for a modern 35,000–45,000-seat venue, scheduled for completion in 2029.

The 2046 edition of the FIFA World Cup will follow the expanded format set to debut in 2026, featuring 48 teams and requiring extensive logistics and facilities.

Joint bids have become more common, with the 2026 tournament to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

FIFA is expected to begin accepting formal bids for 2046 in the coming years, with the host decision likely to be made around 2031.