The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has moved to reject reports that it will definitely bid for the 2030 Fifa World Cup after national team coach Marcello Lippi disclosed that a plan was in place, reports Sport Business.

China has been widely linked to a move for the 2030 World Cup, but has yet to officially confirm a bid. Speaking in an interview with the Chengdu Business Daily newspaper, Lippi talked of his disappointment of missing out on qualification for the 2018 World Cup, before commenting on plans to bring the tournament to China for the first time in 2030.

The 69-year-old Italian highlighted the progress he has made with the national team since his appointment last year before stating: "I also want to tell you that the Chinese Football Association is to bid for the 2030 World Cup."

Lippi's comments were widely picked up in the media, prompting the CFA to intervene. It said in a statement: "We reiterate that the FA did not say which World Cup it will bid for. This kind of information is not officially confirmed and is the media's interpretations."

China's President, Xi Jinping, is a big football fan and has spoken of his ambition for China to host the World Cup. Xi met with Gianni Infantino, president of world football's governing body Fifa, in Beijing in June.