South Korea has entered the race to win the rights to host the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup along with four other countries, the global football governing body’s website showed Saturday.

FIFA’s home page said England, France, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as South Korea, submitted their letters of intent to host the event that is held every four years.

FIFA said with the exception of South Africa, the other four countries have expressed a desire to host the U20 Women’s World Cup set for 2018.

The Korea Football Association said it has applied for the event to further promote women’s football and to raise national interest in the sport.

The hosts for the 2018 and 2019 events will be decided at the first FIFA executive board meeting scheduled for next year. (Yonhap)