CFA denies 'exclusive' report of Cup bid

The Chinese Football Association is denying a published report "quoting" national team coach Marcello Lippi on the country's intention to bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

In a statement released hours after the report went viral on Thursday, the CFA said Chengdu Economic Daily's supposed "exclusive interview" with Lippi was false and misleading, and was fabricated out of previous news items.

"The coach has never conducted any form of exclusive interview with any media outlets recently, and the CFA hasn't come to any decision on when the country will bid for the World Cup," added the statement.