FIFA president witnesses World Cup host aspirations on China

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has wrapped up a two-day trip to China. His first official visit since becoming head of world football’s governing body came amid a Chinese campaign aimed at transforming the country’s football fortunes and with President Xi Jinping hoping China can host – and even one day win – the FIFA World Cup.

Infantino met with Xi on Wednesday, after which he paid a visit to the headquarters of the Chinese Football association (CFA) in Beijing. 

The Swiss-Italian was welcomed by CFA chiefs Cai Zhenhua and Zhang Jian, who was elected to the FIFA council last month.

With China expected to bid to host the World Cup in 2030 or 2034, Cai thanked Infantino for FIFA's efforts to help Chinese football and said the country wanted to learn from other leaders in the sport to nurture more young talent. 

Infantino also took time to watch the training session of a youth men’s team and women’s team Tuesday afternoon, and he encouraged the players to turn their dreams of football stardom into reality through hard work.