China, which had been widely expected to make a bid to stage either the 2018 or 2022 football World Cup, has decided not to enter an application to FIFA.
The deadline for applications passed yesterday. A spokesman for the Chinese Football Association said in October that China was mulling over a bid and president of FIFA Sepp Blatter said last month that the China was among 10 potential bidders.
Yesterday however, local newspaper Beijing Youth Daily quoted an unnamed official at the Chinese Football Association as saying “the possibility of bidding for the World Cup is zero."
The United States meanwhile formally placed its bid with FIFA, the country's soccer federation said on Monday.
"The World Cup is the greatest sporting event in the world and to have the opportunity to host it again is an honour but also an incredible challenge," said US Soccer president Sunil Gulati.
FIFA will decide on hosts for both the tournaments in December 2010.
