The country will have at least 12 major new football stadiums two years from now, said the state-run Southern Metropolis Daily, calling it “a new era for Chinese football”. Most will be used for the newly expanded 2021 Club World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, but President Xi Jinping has his eyes on the biggest prize of all. “I think China’s desire to apply for the World Cup is very clear,” said Ji Yuyang, a journalist for the Oriental Sports Daily. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in June that he would welcome a Chinese bid to stage the 2030 World Cup, the next one up for grabs. First, a 100,000-seat stadium might come in handy if China hosts a World Cup final or opening ceremony,” said Ji.

Source: The Express Tribune April 24, 2020 05:37 UTC