2022 World Cup 'will be held in Europe'

Japan are set to concentrate solely on bidding for the 2022 World Cup after being told the 2018 edition will be held in Europe, according to reports.

Sports minister Tatsuo Kawabata and Japan Football Association chief Motoaki Inukai spoke with FIFA president Sepp Blatter in Zurich yesterday and were advised to focus their efforts on bidding for the right to host the 2022 World Cup.