BERLIN, July 20 -- China deserves to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, according to FC Schalke 04 general manager Christian Heidel.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Heidel said China is ready to stage the world's biggest football event, with Schalke having toured the country in each of the past three years.

The 55-year-old said the Chinese national football team is on its way to qualifying for a World Cup within the next eight years. "China is not far away from qualification," Heidel commented, before praising China's efforts and progress and the "people's enthusiasm for sports in general and football in particular."

Heidel acknowledged that it will take time before China can start dreaming about winning the World Cup, but added that its strategy of developing young talent bodes well for the future.

"It is impressive to see how much China is open to new training methods and ideas. They are advancing all the time and it is taking them to a new level. Just look at the size of the country and the amazing number of young people playing football. There have to be talented players and I think there will be many in the near future."

Before joining Schalke, Heidel was managing director of FSV Mainz 05, and has previously worked with successful German coaches like Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool FC) and Thomas Tuchel (Paris Saint-Germain).

Klopp and Tuchel started their careers at Mainz with Heidel's support. At Schalke, Heidel has opened doors for Germany's next talented young coach, Domenico Tedesco. Before joining the Royal Blues, Italian-born Tedesco worked as a youth coach for VfB Stuttgart and TSG Hoffenheim. He joined Schalke after just 13 games in charge of Erzgebirge Aue in the second division.

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