OpinionFifa cosies up to China with expanded Club World Cup, paving the way for the biggest prize of all
- China is the only candidate for the 2021 tournament but wins in a ‘unanimous decision’
- Timing of the announcement questioned as the NBA is still figuring out where it stands with China
The worst-kept secret in world football is out. China will host the new-look Club World Cup in 2021.
Item 4.1 on the agenda of the Fifa council meeting in Shanghai confirmed it, but that was no surprise. As Associated Press revealed on Sunday, “China is the only host for the tournament that is due to be considered by the Fifa council for ratification”.
Nevertheless, congratulations to them on winning a “unanimous decision”, as Fifa’s official statement put it. The news was accompanied by a photo opportunity. Fifa president Gianni Infantino beams at the camera standing between Chinese Football Association president Chen Xuyuan and vice-president Du Zhaocai.
That’s the same Du who is a Fifa council member while being the deputy minister of China’s State General Administration of Sport. That is a government body, of course, and flies in the face of Fifa’s stance on government interference in football. Ah, well.
Never mind whether we need another football tournament, that players and fans might want a summer off. Nor the details of how the teams will be decided, or why the Oceania champions have a play-off with a Chinese team. This is happening.