The Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) will have to wait for a final decision from FIFA next month to see whether it has been given the all-clear to host next year's Asian qualifiers for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Hong Kong, Japan and now the Philippines have lodged a request to co-host the qualifiers, which have been set for June 1999.
The situation has been complicated by the recent inclusion of the Philippines into the competition.
The Philippines have boosted the number of teams competing in the qualifiers to five, meaning additional costs and four extra matches.
Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal and the Philippines will compete in Group Six of the Asian soccer qualifying round, with the winners going through to the second phase.
Originally, Japan and Hong Kong were keen to co-host the Asian qualifiers, but the competition was then a four-team affair.
Local football officials estimate the inclusion of the Philippines would mean an additional $1.3 million in travelling and accommodation expenses. Japan and Hong Kong have agreed to co-host the tournament at two venues, with one round of the competition being played in Japan and another round in Hong Kong.