Football Federation Australia on Tuesday said it is not threatened by reports China has been preparing to launch a bid to host the World Cup in 2026.

“China’s move could dent Australia’s chances of hosting the event in 2022,” The Australian reported on Tuesday.

Chinese football officials said they have realized the magnitude of the World Cup after the success of the recently completed finals in South Africa.

And with FIFA unlikely to let Asian confederation nations host consecutive World Cups, an emerging Chinese bid spells trouble for Australia.

“China is interested in bidding for the 2026 World Cup,” Chinese soccer chief Wei Di told local newspapers.

“I think China should apply for the World Cup. We will make an official report to the sport’s governing body shortly.”

According to The Australian, China has 1.3 billion people, a booming economy and ready-made stadia. Four existing venues boast a capacity of more than 60,000 each. It also has existing infrastructure having hosted the successful Beijing Olympics in 2008.

China is seen as an attractive option and one of the final frontiers, along with India, for FIFA to conquer, the paper said.

Certainly, the lucrative sponsorship deals and massive television audience likely to be generated will have particular appeal to FIFA.

Meanwhile, Football Federal Australia (FFA) remained confident China’s interest will not have an impact on Australia’s chances.

“We can’t and don’t really want to comment directly about whatever anyone else may or may not be doing,” an FFA spokesman said. “However, we are very confident that we have a compelling case to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

“Our bid is complete. it has been submitted and is supported by full government guarantees and we will be promoting it up until the decision by FIFA on December 2.

“We know we have a lot of competition but we believe we are a safe pair of hands in Asia and have a fantastic record of holding huge events including the best Olympics ever in Sydney in 2000.

“Australia is the only continent yet to hold a World Cup and by providing us the honor of hosting one would be a huge benefit to all of Asia and Oceania.”

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