Japan Football Association says the country will no longer host this year’s Club World Cup

Japan will no longer this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, which holds in December, due to Covid-19 restrictions, Kyodo news agency said.

The yearly football event, which has champions from the six global confederations including the host nation’s top team, was scheduled to hold in the Asian country this December.

“The risk of increasing infections and difficulty in turning a profit due to likely cap on spectators swayed the decision,” Kyodo said.

FIFA, in response said: “Details of the next FIFA Club World Cup will be confirmed in due course.”

Japan has battled with a record fifth wave of virus cases recently. The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics were held under strict restrictions.