Lippi 'quotes' go viral on Chinese social media
The Chinese Football Association on Thursday denied a media report that they're planning to bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The Chengdu Business Daily quoted China coach Marcello Lippi as saying that the CFA "is preparing to bid for the 2030 World Cup," which immediately went viral on Chinese social media.
"We have learned that -national team coach Lippi has not been interviewed by any media recently," the CFA said in a statement on their Sina Weibo account. "The report of the Chengdu Business Daily was compiled based on previous interviews by foreign media, and they are misleading."
The Chengdu newspaper later told China National Radio that the report was based on a September interview with Lippi, who took his home country Italy to World Cup glory in 2006 in Germany. They published it on the anniversary of China's first game after Lippi took over.
Despite denying rumors on the 2030 tournament, the CFA didn't deny that they are aiming at future editions. "As to the report that we're planning to bid for World Cup 2030, we want to reiterate that the CFA has never said we're preparing for any specific World Cup," it said.
Many fans are thrilled by the CFA statement. "They've only denied bidding for the 2030 tournament, but not others!" wrote one fan. "As long as you bid for one World Cup, fans will be happy with that!"
"Whichever World Cup you're bidding for, I will be happy," wrote another fan. "I'm just hoping China will play in the World Cup not just because we're the hosts."
Despite failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals, -China have improved significantly under Lippi's guidance. The Italian took over China in October 2016 after earning just one point in the first four games in the third qualifying round in Asia. They earned 11 points in the remaining six games, and just missed out on a playoff spot by a point.
Having just made it to the World Cup finals once in 2002, when they lost all three group games without scoring, Chinese soccer has long been a source of misery for fans. And many are counting on their chance to play in the World Cup as hosts. There have been rumors that China would bid to host the World Cup.
Under FIFA's current continental rotation policy, the 2030 World Cup cannot be held in Asia as the 2022 tournament will be held in Qatar.
