Blatter says Japan could host 2019 Women's World Cup

TOKYO (AP) -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Friday that Japan would be a "good candidate'' to host the 2019 Women's World Cup even though the country will stage the Rugby World Cup the same year.

The 2019 Rugby World Cup will be played in Japan from Sept. 6 to Oct. 20. Blatter said the country could hold the women's tournament beforehand.

Blatter said "Japan would be a good candidate or contender. They are a little bit afraid because they have the Rugby World Cup in the same year but the sports are totally different.''

Japan won the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany. Canada will host the 2015 tournament.

Blatter is in Tokyo for Saturday's final of the women's under-20 World Cup between the United States and Germany.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.