Opinion | Why China will be in line to host the 2026 World Cup
The world's second biggest economy and the might of the mainland market could mean their hosting the event in future
The last remaining vestige of integrity around Fifa is actually the World Cup competition itself. Invitations to the most popular sporting event in the world still have to be earned. Well, mostly earned. Despite the on-going legal issues that have ensnared the odiously corrupt governing body of world football, it looks for all intents and purposes like Russia 2018 will go ahead.
But Qatar hosting in 2022 is still not a certainty. Endless investigations, both internally and externally, in regards to corruption in the bidding process are now playing out.
It should be Asia's turn, which really leaves only China and Australia capable of hosting it and you know Fifa would much prefer the massive mainland market
Let's assume for a moment that the status quo holds and both Russia and Qatar host the event. Russia has successfully qualified for three of the last six World Cups and under the former Soviet Union they made it to seven tournaments.
The Russians have done nothing of note in the World Cup recently other than qualifying but that alone is a massive achievement in comparison to Qatar.
The Qataris have never earned a place in the event and by the time 2022 rolls around that record of futility should be intact.
Their performance on the pitch has been totally overshadowed by their performance off it and they will likely be participating in the event for the first time thanks to the host receiving automatic qualification.