China didn't get the chance to play in this year's football World Cup. It doesn't mean though that China will never play or that they have been excluded from the celebrations.

Many reporters, players and fans, as well as Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) President Joseph Blatter and Franz Bekenbaur, Chairman of Germany's World Cup Organizing Committee, have lamented China's absence from the competition.

Although very popular, football, particularly men's football, is an underdeveloped and weak sport in China. Although the Chinese team managed to earn a place in the 2002 World Cup �C held in Japan and South Korea �C they are stagnant or even backward and certainly haven't reached World Cup standard. So why do World Cup officials remain confident that China will eventually be a big part of world football?

The World Cup is unique in its appeal; the whole world tunes into games and is second only to the Olympics in terms of popularity. There are two factors instrumental in the success of the World Cup. The first is the large number of football fans. The World Cup draws people together from all over the world. People may enjoy the World Cup regardless of nationality, cultural background, ideology or wealth. The second factor is the economic success of the World Cup. The World Cup has been held 18 times and it is big business; without sponsorship it would be impossible to stage. The World Cup is a fabulous business opportunity and without sponsorship, the Cup would certainly be a far poorer and less glamorous affair. Germany is expected to make a net profit of 2.7 billion EURO from the World Cup; FIFA 100 million EURO.

If these are the two determinants of success, China stands to be a land of opportunity as far as football is concerned.

China is the world's most populous country and football fans number in the hundreds of millions. It is a market the World Cup can't ignore. China is a newly emerged force in the world; it is developing steadily and constantly creating opportunities for the world's economic development. Although China didn't play, it sent the largest contingent of journalists over to cover Cup. The abundance of 'Made in China' goods in Germany generated a lot of interest in China, too.

Although the World Cup get a big profit, other football matches such as youth football championship, women word cup, FIFA actually compensates a lot. Therefore, it is tapping the potential value of World Cup women's football.

The Chinese women's football team has achieved a measure of success in the world football arena. FIFA feels very positive about China hosting the 2007 Women's Football World Cup, which it hopes will help enlarge the market for women's football. Although FIFA wants to expand women's football, it is men's football that has the far greater following.

FIFA has said they would support a bid from China to host the 2018 World Cup. A German news website also revealed the existence of a confidential report confirming support for China's 2014 World Cup bid from the Cup's five major sponsors. There are certainly strong incentives to do so.

By 2014, China will have become the world's third largest economic power with an enormous consumer market. With the 2007 Women's Football World Cup and the 2008 Olympics being held in Beijing, China will have not only the necessary facilities to accommodate the World Cup, but experience in hosting a competition of this size and nature. By 2014, the number of football fans in China is expected to increase to 300 million, the current size of Europe's fan base. With such a large number of supporters it is difficult to refuse China's application.

The future of the World Cup and development areas such as women's and youth football would benefit enormously from the support of the Chinese market. It is no surprise then that FIFA officials and sponsors support China's participation in the World Cup.

Of course, Chinese football fans would be more than happy if China could qualify for the World Cup. China would benefit greatly from the World Cup �C it would give the world a chance to get to know and understand a peacefully developing China. It would continue to promote Chinese culture �C following on from the 2008 Olympics �C and create more opportunities for development.

China and FIFA stand to benefit enormously from any cooperation and collaboration; a Chinese World Cup would consolidate the popularity of the sport and expand football markets.

By People's Daily Online