Chinese President Xi Jinping is known to be a fervent soccer supporter who pledged to revitalize the men’s national team in a 2015 document. However, the team continues to struggle after a recent humiliating defeat to Japan in a World Cup qualifier match in Saitama, Japan. The 7-0 loss marks one of China’s most significant defeats against Japan and a historic setback in World Cup qualifying.
The national team coach, Branko Ivankovic of Croatia, described the match as a challenging night, acknowledging the difficulty faced by the team. Japanese players Wataru Endo, Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino, Daizen Maeda, Junya Ito, and Takefusa Kubo scored during the game, demonstrating Japan’s dominance over China.
Despite minimal coverage in Chinese state media such as the China Sports Daily, social media platforms in China were abuzz with reactions to the defeat. Some commentators emphasized the importance of skill and training in football rather than political involvement in the sport. There were differing opinions on whether football is a suitable sport for China, especially in comparison to its success in other Olympic sports like diving.
China still has nine qualifying matches ahead to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will feature an expanded 48-team field. However, given China’s current FIFA ranking at 87, qualifying remains uncertain. The country has only qualified for the World Cup once in 2002, where they faced three defeats without scoring a goal. Despite being the most populous country globally, China’s national team ranks below smaller nations like Curaçao and Equatorial Guinea in FIFA rankings.
The future of Chinese football remains uncertain, with ongoing discussions on how to improve the team’s performance and whether football should be a priority sport for the nation.
