Japan will host the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, the world football governing body confirmed on Wednesday, Feb 8. Uzbekistan, the original host of the tournament, could not organize the World Cup due to a number of logistical and technical issues; prompting the FIFA Executive Committee to propose Japan as a probable new host in a meeting held in Tokyo on December 16th and 17th, 2011.

Speaking in a statement on FIFA website, Japan Football Association President, Junji Ogura said hosting the competition is a “a big challenge but also an excellent opportunity to maintain the momentum and interest in the country following the world title the Nadeshiko won in Germany last summer”.

“Japan is definitely a country where women’s football is on an upward curve,” he said. “Holding two FIFA competitions in Japan in 2012, we, together with FIFA, would like to encourage the people affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.”

The U-20 Women’s World Cup will be played from August 19- to September 8, 2012. It will feature 16 teams. Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, Japan (host), Korea DPR, China, Korea Republic, Argentina and Brazil (CONMEBOL) have qualified. Germany is the reigning champion, having defeated Nigeria 2-0 in the 2010 final, Business Day reported.