The FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2008 begins in Tokyo and according to a press release the bid committee is celebrating the city’s latest opportunity to showcase both its organizational expertise and passion for international sport.
Club champions from six continents and the host nation will take part in the tournament and more than 300,000 fans are expected to pack into three of Japan’s world class stadia for the ten days of competition.
The tournament starts at the Kasumigaoka National Stadium in Tokyo, a venue built for the 1964 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The venue would host Olympic football if Tokyo wins the 2016 Summer Games.
International Stadium Yokohama, Japan’s largest stadium with 72,327 seats and within easy reach of Tokyo will host the semi-final and final rounds of FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2008 and would be the venue for the Tokyo 2016 football final.
Dr. Ichiro Kono, Chairman and CEO of Tokyo 2016 said in the press release, “Japan is passionate about sport, and football is no exception. It has universal appeal and events such as this demonstrate the immense power of sport to unify worlds and bring together many different cultures and generations peacefully and harmoniously.
“Thanks to strong infrastructure and incredible venues, Tokyo is well-equipped to stage leading global sports events. We hope that this will enable us to stage the biggest sporting event of all in the heart of Tokyo in 2016, uniting generations in Japan and across the world with sport and healthy living”.
