China will host the Olympic Gamesin less than two years time. But it may have
to wait 20 years to stage soccer's World Cup, according to FIFA vice-president
Issa Hayatou.
Hayatou said here on Wednesday that under FIFA's continental rotation policy
on the host of the World Cup, Asia could next stage the World Cup in 2026 after
South Korea and Japan co-hosted the quadrennial event in 2002.
He said China will have a fairly good chance of winning the right to host the
2026 World Cup if it lodges a bid.
"You have very good facilities, and your economy enjoys a high growth, so you
are capable of staging the World Cup," Hayatou tolda press conference.
A 10-man FIFA delegation headed by Hayatou wrapped up a two-daytour of
Beijing on Wednesday to inspect the Chinese capital's preparations for the
soccer tournament of the 2008 Olympic Games.
But Hayatou added that China's chance also depends on how many Asian
countries intend to stage the World Cup.
Nicolas Maingot, an official at FIFA's media department, said FIFA has yet to
decide on the sites, or even the continents, for the World Cups beyond 2014.
"For the moment, the only dates which are confirmed are 2010 for South
Africa, and 2014 for South America," Maingot told Xinhua.