China to host Club World Cup as FIFA hails 'historic decision'

Selection viewed as big step toward one day staging national-team version

China has netted a major goal in its efforts to become a soccer superpower after being selected as host for the inaugural edition of the revamped FIFA Club World Cup.

FIFA on Thursday announced in Shanghai that China was unanimously chosen to stage the first edition of the expanded 24-club quadrennial tournament in multiple cities between June and July in 2021.