The Yokohama stadium that staged the 2002 FIFA World Cup final between Brazil and Germany "has been added to the list of potential venues for the 2019 rugby World Cup," according to Julian Linden of REUTERS.
The 72,000-seat stadium "was not on the original shortlist of venues bidding to host matches but World Cup officials agreed to accept a late application from Yokohama and the Kanagawa Prefecture, of which it is the capital."
A total of 15 cities and prefectures "are now under consideration with a decision about the successful cities expected early next year." Japan Rugby 2019 CEO Akira Shimazu: "While we note that the deadline is passed for applications to host matches at Rugby World Cup, we have decided to accept this bid because we want to ensure that the tournament is available to as many sports fans as possible around the country." Rugby World Cup Chair Bernard Lapasset: "The international stadium at Yokohama is a world-famous venue and iconic for millions of football fans who remember when it staged the FIFA World Cup final between Germany and Brazil in 2002" (REUTERS, 12/15).
