Football: Expanded World Cup Has China Daring To Dream
Zeeshan Mehtab Published January 11, 2017 | 10:30 AM
SHANGHAI, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2017 ) - Chinese state media hailed FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from 2026, saying it could help realise the country's "dream" of returning to the sport's grandest stage.
Official news agency Xinhua said that FIFA's decision was an opportunity for China, who currently languish at 82nd in the world rankings sandwiched between St Kitts and Nevis (population 60,000) and the Faroe Islands (population 49,000).
"Even if the levels of skill and strategy in the Chinese men's football do not grow in leaps and bounds by 2026, the initial objectives of (China's) football reform will have been realised," said the commentary issued late Tuesday.
"By then, with the added bonus of World Cup expansion, it is highly possible that China's return to the World Cup will no longer be just a dream." FIFA voted on Tuesday to expand the World Cup from 32 teams to 48, with its president Gianni Infantino saying more countries needed a chance to shine in a tournament dominated by Europe and South America, while critics derided the move as driven by profit and politics.
The decision is likely to mean Asia doubling their guaranteed World Cup finals allocation from four to eight countries, with the ninth-placed qualifier facing a playoff.
"Many more countries will have the chance to dream," Infantino said.
China has the world's biggest population and a cash-rich domestic league that has in the past month broken the Asian transfer record with Shanghai SIPG paying 60 million Euros for Oscar while making Carlos Tevez reportedly the world's highest-salaried player at Shanghai Shenhua.
But at national level China punches well below its weight, having qualified only once for the World Cup finals, in 2002, where they failed to win a match or score a goal. Xinhua said the expansion of the competition "will undoubtedly give it a more global significance," and introduce different playing styles.
Chinese Super League clubs, encouraged by football fan President Xi Jinping's vision of turning China into a one of the game's superpowers, have broken the Asian transfer record five times in less than a year. Xi has set a target of hosting and winning a World Cup, prompting a flood of money into top-flight teams and heavy investment in grass-roots development.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Fresh wave of rainfall in AJK continues for the second consecutive day
Babar, bowlers help Pakistan level series 2-2 against New Zealand
Attack in restive Chilean province leaves three police officers dead
PM, Saudi Royal court advisor discuss ways to boost economic ties
England clinch third successive Women's Six Nations Grand Slam
DC Bahawalnagar leads fight for fair bread prices
Sheffield Utd relegated from Premier League
02 proclaimed offenders arrested by Wah Police
Pakistan level T20I series with nine-run victory over New Zealand
Minister meets Chinese Consul General, discusses bilateral cooperation, Chinese ..
MS Children Hospital takes over charge
3 dacoits arrested, illegal weapons recovered
More Stories From Sports
-
Babar, bowlers help Pakistan level series 2-2 against New Zealand
4 hours ago -
England clinch third successive Women's Six Nations Grand Slam
4 hours ago -
Sheffield Utd relegated from Premier League
4 hours ago -
Pakistan level T20I series with nine-run victory over New Zealand
4 hours ago -
Nadal gains De Minaur revenge in Madrid
4 hours ago -
Kane hits double in Bayern win as Leipzig tighten grip on fourth
4 hours ago
-
Sheffield United relegated from Premier League after Newcastle rout
4 hours ago -
Martin wins crash-filled sprint at Spanish MotoGP
6 hours ago -
Liverpool Premier League title hopes suffer blow, Sheffield Utd relegated
6 hours ago -
Motorcycling: Spanish Grand Prix MotoGP sprint result
6 hours ago -
Shoaib Akhter motors round Gaddafi Stadium with ICC T20I trophy
6 hours ago -
Fifth T20I: New Zealand opt to field first against Pakistan
7 hours ago