China flags up interest in hosting 2026 World Cup

China should bid for the 2026 World Cup finals, China's soccer chief Wei Di was quoted as saying in state media on Thursday.

"I have always believed that it is only a question of time for China to host the World Cup, as an important nation in the world," Chinese Football Association head Wei told the state-run Xinhua news agency.

"I am in the camp of supporting a bid," he said. "If there is the need, I will call upon public opinion (for their support), as a bid for the World Cup would be great for Chinese football," Wei said.

China could bid for the 2026 or 2030 World Cups if the 2022 tournament was not awarded to an Asian country, he added.

Fifa, world soccer's governing body, will decide on the host nation for the 2022 finals later on Thursday.

The United States as well as Asian confederation members Australia, Qatar, South Korea and Japan are bidding for that tournament and if the US win the right to stage it, an Asian country can bid for 2026.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.