Dalian Yingbo has been awarded the bid to host two of the qualifying matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in China, according to reports from Chinese media.

The news comes as a surprise, as Dalian is not typically associated with football or hosting major sporting events. However, the city's bid was supported by local government officials and has received widespread support from fans and football associations across China.

The two qualifying matches will be held at the Dalian Yurun Stadium, which is one of the most modern stadiums in China. The stadium can hold up to 54,000 spectators and has state-of-the-art facilities, including a retractable roof and floodlights.

The announcement comes just weeks after the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) announced that it had received bids from six countries to host the 2026 World Cup. These countries were France, Canada, Japan, Australia, Qatar, and the United States.

It remains to be seen whether Dalian will ultimately win the bid, but the fact that they have been given the opportunity to host two of the qualifying matches is a significant achievement for the city and its residents.

Overall, this is a great step forward for football in China and could help to boost the popularity of the sport in the country. It also shows that China is serious about hosting major sporting events and investing in infrastructure to support them.