China has every reason and condition to apply for hosting a World Cup. However, if China gives up applying for the 2026 World Cup, it will lose not only four years, but possibly eight or twelve years. China will have to wait for a longer time, and applying in 2034 might be more practical. The article also pointed out that pressure from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is one of the reasons why China "gave up" applying for the 2026 World Cup.