FIFA, soccer's world governing body, says NO to Japan's attempt to change the official name of the 2002 World Cup.

The move follows a protest from South Korea over Japan's use of 2002 FIFA World Cup JAPAN/Korea in tickets to be sold in Japan. The Japanese world cup organizing committee defended the name change saying the tickets will be sold only in Japan and the names are in Chinese character.

Japan had agreed to use 2002 FIFA World Cup KOREA/Japan and give the opening ceremony to South Korea in return for hosting the final game.

In a letter to FIFA, South Korea's top soccer official, Chung Mong-joon, demanded all the tickets be reprinted.

In 1996, South Korea and Japan were selected as co-hosts of the World Cup 2002... the first to be staged in Asia.