Three nations bid for 2002 W. Cup

Three nations bid for 2002 W. Cup

ZURICH (Reuter): Japan, South Korea and Mexico lodged bids to stage the 2002 World Cup finals before the Dec. 31 deadline, FIFA announced yesterday.

The three countries must confirm their candidatures before Feb. 28 after examining the world governing body's official list of requirements, FIFA added.

FIFA is to decide on the venue of the first World Cup of the next millennium in June 1996 but leading officials have long suggested it should go to Asia for the first time.

Mexico has already staged the finals twice -- in 1970 and again in 1986 after stepping in as a late replacement when Colombia decided it could not host the event.