TOKYO —The executive committee of world soccer’s governing body FIFA approved a plan Saturday to name the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals simultaneously in December 2010. Japan, which co-hosted the 2002 finals with South Korea, is interested in staging the 2018 tournament but will decide whether to file for candidacy depending on the outcome of Tokyo’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics, Japanese soccer officials said.

According to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, Australia, China, England and Spain have shown interest in hosting a World Cup along with Japan. South Africa will stage the 2010 World Cup and the 2014 finals have been awarded to Brazil. FIFA rules out candidacy from Africa for the 2018 finals and South America for both the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

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