China might not be at the World Cup, but that hasn't stopped Chinese fans travelling to the tournament in their thousands. Russia 2018 has seen a huge increase in ticket sales to China's football fans compared to Brazil four years ago. The Chief Executive of the Local Organizing Committee, Aleksey Sorokin, has welcomed the trend and in an exclusive interview with CGTN's Dan Williams, he said China would be ideal to host a World Cup.

"One key element of this World Cup is a huge increase in the amount of Chinese fans coming to a World Cup. What have you made of the numbers that have been here and overall your impressions of the fans here?"

ALEKSEY SOROKIN RUSSIA 2018 LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE CEO "We are quite happy to see all the way through that China was among the top ten buying countries that was always among the leaders in buying tickets. Clearly, China is one of our closest neighbors. We've always enjoyed the relations and certainly welcome a lot of Chinese guests. It shows there is more interest in football for China but also interests in coming to Russia. Yearly we see an increase in China tourism and happy to have a lot of Chinese people for the World Cup."

"There is this potential of China perhaps 2030 or 2034, bidding for the World Cup. Given your experience and the success so far for the tournament, do you have any advice for China as they potentially look to bid?"

ALEKSEY SOROKIN RUSSIA 2018 LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE CEO "If China is still hesitating, I would advise they bid as it opens up so many opportunities. So many perspective for the country. Even hard to fully assess that when you are bidding but when you are in the process, it becomes very obvious. I would bid."

"And you have confidence that if they were to bid, it would be a success?"

ALEKSEY SOROKIN RUSSIA 2018 LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE CEO "It is hard for me to say. There Is a lot of criteria that they need to fulfill. But I am certain that China is perfectly capable of organizing a very good bid, putting together a very good sound concept."