China may bid for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Beijing: China may bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with officials saying that "now is the best time".

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) is discussing the feasibility of the bid, CFA head Wei Di said Saturday. "We are studying the feasibility of the bid, but are yet to submit the request to the the sports ministry for approval to proceed with a formal bid," Wei was quoted as saying. Wei, who had been on a trip to South Africa for this year`s tournament, said: "Personally speaking, I think China has no reason not to bid and now is the best time for bidding." "If we succeed in the 2026 World Cup bid, I believe it would produce great changes to Chinese soccer," he said. China did not qualify for this year`s FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Its only appearance in the premier event was in 2002. IANS