By Yoon Chul
FIFA Vice President Chung Mong-joon expressed confidence that Korea would win in the 2022 World Cup bid, Tuesday.
“All five countries, which join the bid for World Cup in 2022, work very hard. But the possibility of Korea’s victory is very enough,” Chung said in the press conference in Seoul.
“When FIFA decides the host country the members consider economical value, social infrastructure, climate and so on.
“But the most important one FIFA concerns is what kind of ‘Legacy’ is generated,” Chung said.
“At this point Korea isn’t in adverse condition.
“If World Cup is held in Korea, it will support world football development and promote peace, prosperity in East Asia. It could be splendid legacy,” Chung said.
The host country for the 2022 World Cup will be confirmed on Dec. 2 this year. The FIFA has a meeting in Zurich in Switzerland to decide the host country for 2018 and 2022 World Cup together.
So far, England, the Netherland-Belgium, Russia, Spain-Portugal and the United States challenge for 2018 while Korea, Japan, Qatar, Australia and the United States are bidding for 2022, but England decided not to challenge for 2022, Wednesday (KST) to focus on 2018.
The United States attempt both bids for 2018 and 2022 but it will likely withdraw from the bid for 2018.
Among five non-European nations for 2022 World Cup, Korea and Qatar applied only for 2022 from the start. Japan and Australia sought for 2018 and 2022 bids at first but they decided to focus on 2022 only.
While many experts anticipate the 2018 World Cup will be held in Europe, the withdrawal of England, which has been a strong candidate for hosting, may induce the other European bidding nations to concentrate only on 2018 event.
The Asia Football Confederation (AFC) President Mohamed Bin Hammam, who supported his nation Qatar in the World Cup bidding competition, also mentioned that the event in 2022 would be held in Asia.
“No matter what kind of result comes out, the host country for 2022 World Cup will be among Asian countries,” Hammam said.
“No one is sure about the result as all five countries put their efforts. But it deserves for us to make our utmost efforts,” Chung said. .
Chung is scheduled to move to England early October attend a FIFA seminar as presenter.