Where the next women's soccer world cup is to be played is still unclear, even though it remains only three years until it's time. But on Thursday, Fifa will choose the organizer.

But today one of the only three remaining candidates announced that they would withdraw from the competition.

"It was a difficult decision," Japanese Football Association chairman Kozo Tashima said at a press conference.

The Olympic move affected

According to Tashima, the decision depends on the corona pandemic and its effects. On the one hand, they believe that the fact that the Olympics were moved from 2020 to 2021 put it before them, and that because of the pandemic they could not campaign in a good enough way.

"The postponement of the Tokyo Olympics has got us thinking, because it didn't feel reasonable that a country could host two major women's soccer tournaments in such a short time," Tashima said.

Australia / New Zealand are considered favorites to become organizers. When Fifa released its candidacy earlier this month, they received 4.1 in a five-grade crowd, compared to Japan's 3.9 and Colombia's 2.8.