China's soccer requires cash injection at grassroots
3 months, 3 weeks ago

China's soccer requires cash injection at grassroots

China Daily  

Team China players trudge off the field after scraping a draw with Thailand in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Shenyang, Liaoning province, on June 6. That is big news for soccer fans around the world, except for those in China who remain dismayed by the Chinese soccer team's failure to make it to the highest stage. After making its debut in the 2002 Japan-ROK World Cup, and its only appearance on the World Cup stage so far, Chinese men's soccer has drifted farther and farther from the world's soccer pitches, for many reasons with "Chinese characteristics".The FIFA ranking of the men's national team had fallen from around 50th to 90th as of last month. The false prosperity of the Chinese soccer climaxed in 2013, when Guangzhou Evergrande FC became the Asian club champion — thanks to many world-class players it bought from European and South American clubs at a price they couldn't refuse — 20 years after its founding with investment from a real estate group bearing the same name as the club, which was plunged into a huge debt crisis more than four years ago. Attracting naturalized players with high payment to play for the Chinese men's national soccer team was regarded as a shortcut for the country to make its mark on the game.

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History of this topic

China’s Football Association bans 43 people for life after corruption investigation
6 months, 3 weeks ago

China’s Football Association bans 43 people for life after corruption investigation

Associated Press  

DALIAN, China — China’s Football Association has banned 43 people for life over allegations of match-fixing and other forms of corruption in the latest effort to weed out graft in the country’s notoriously underperforming team sport. The official Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday reported that Zhang Xiaopeng, a top police official, attended a news conference at Dalian to release details …

Ronaldo’s Saudi switch another symbol of Chinese decline
2 years, 2 months ago

Ronaldo’s Saudi switch another symbol of Chinese decline

The Hindu  

Cristiano Ronaldo’s headline-grabbing arrival at Al Nassr on a bumper pay deal captured global attention last month, but in an alternate world, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner may well have been destined for a move further east. The Portuguese striker’s Saudi Arabia switch following the cancellation of his Manchester United contract has highlighted a shift within Asian football that started …

China’s reopened borders raise hopes for soccer resurgence
2 years, 2 months ago

China’s reopened borders raise hopes for soccer resurgence

Associated Press  

After three years of isolation and financial struggles in Chinese soccer, the country is reopening its borders and economy to the outside world. “It almost feels like there has been no league in the past three years with delays, months without games and strange schedules,” Shanghai Shenhua supporter Wang Yi told The Associated Press. “Some fans have lost interest but …

Chinese companies score big at World Cup
2 years, 4 months ago

Chinese companies score big at World Cup

China Daily  

The crowd at Al Bayt Stadium eagerly awaits the opening match of the 2022 World Cup tournament between host Qatar and Ecuador on Sunday evening. HECTOR VIVAS/FIFA/GETTY IMAGES Enterprises showcase wide range of products at Qatar tournament Although failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals soccer tournament now underway in Qatar, China is making a huge contribution to …

Chinese companies score big at World Cup
2 years, 4 months ago

Chinese companies score big at World Cup

China Daily  

The crowd at Al Bayt Stadium eagerly awaits the opening match of the 2022 World Cup tournament between host Qatar and Ecuador on Sunday evening. HECTOR VIVAS/FIFA/GETTY IMAGES Enterprises showcase wide range of products at Qatar tournament Although failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals soccer tournament now underway in Qatar, China is making a huge contribution to …

DC Edit | Does Qatar deserve this Cup?
2 years, 4 months ago

DC Edit | Does Qatar deserve this Cup?

Deccan Chronicle  

As the greatest show on turf, beginning on Sunday at the Al-Bayt stadium to end in a grand finale on Dec. 18 at the iconic Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, billions of fans of the world’s most popular sport will be glued to their television sets, following the fortunes of their national team or their favourites at the 2022 Fifa …

China, a country of 1.4 billion, again misses World Cup
2 years, 4 months ago

China, a country of 1.4 billion, again misses World Cup

Associated Press  

Even with 1.4 billion people, China can’t find 11 solid soccer players. “China is bigger than most things, so China is used to doing things on its own terms,” said Cameron Wilson, a British journalist who has lived in China for almost two decades and is the founding editor of the website “Wild East Football.” “Football is one of the …

China gives up 2023 Asian Cup hosting rights - AFC
2 years, 10 months ago

China gives up 2023 Asian Cup hosting rights - AFC

The Hindu  

China has relinquished its rights to host the 2023 Asian Cup finals due to the COVID-19 situation in the country, the Asian Football Confederation announced on Saturday. "Following extensive discussions with the Chinese Football Association, the Asian Football Confederation has been officially informed by the CFA that it would not be able to host the AFC Asian Cup 2023," the …

After Beijing Winter Olympics, China hopes to host FIFA World Cup in future
3 years, 1 month ago

After Beijing Winter Olympics, China hopes to host FIFA World Cup in future

Firstpost  

Football fan President Xi Jinping has said he wants China to stage and even win the men’s World Cup one day, and the country has been building and renovating stadiums in apparent anticipation Beijing, China: After staging both a Summer and now a Winter Olympics, there is one major international sports event left for China to host — the football …

COVID-19 Complicates China’s ‘Football Dream’
3 years, 3 months ago

COVID-19 Complicates China’s ‘Football Dream’

The Diplomat  

Markers of China’s rise are ubiquitous these days, but one form of international prowess has remained stubbornly out of reach: success at football, and specifically the FIFA World Cup, the premier international football competition. An avid football fan himself, Xi Jinping unveiled a “Great Football Dream” in 2016, a niche subset of his broader “China Dream,” but motivated by the …

FIFA plans to postpone Club World Cup until 2022 due to hosting challenges
3 years, 5 months ago

FIFA plans to postpone Club World Cup until 2022 due to hosting challenges

Firstpost  

Coronavirus restrictions led to Japan withdrawing from staging the tournament this December, and South Africa then abandoned a bid due to the need to get more of the country vaccinated. London: FIFA plans to postpone the Club World Cup until early next year due to hosting challenges linked to the pandemic, people familiar with the planning said. Coronavirus restrictions led …

2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Moved from China to Dubai over Coronavirus Cases
3 years, 10 months ago

2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Moved from China to Dubai over Coronavirus Cases

News 18  

Several World Cup football qualifiers scheduled to be played in China were moved to Dubai on Monday over coronavirus infections in the Syria and Maldives teams, the Chinese Football Association said. Seven Group A fixtures involving China, Syria, Maldives, the Philippines and Guam are affected, playing further havoc with the already heavily disrupted Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers. “In view …

China draws up action plan to boost FIFA World Cup ambitions
3 years, 10 months ago

China draws up action plan to boost FIFA World Cup ambitions

The Hindu  

China will build new youth training centres and encourage "key cities" to set up two or more men and women's professional football clubs, it said on Friday, seeking to improve playing standards and become one of the sport's leading world powers. China's General Administration of Sport pledged to learn from both domestic and foreign experiences to encourage participation, improve governance …

FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers: China name five naturalised players in 26-man squad ahead of critical fixtures
3 years, 10 months ago

FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers: China name five naturalised players in 26-man squad ahead of critical fixtures

Firstpost  

China, who have big ambitions but are perennial underachievers ranked 77th in the world, began drafting in players born overseas in 2019 in a quick fix to reach the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Shanghai: China on Monday named five foreign-born players for critical World Cup qualifiers starting later this month as the world’s most populous country steps up its controversial …

Chinese Football Chief Calls For Further Salary Cuts to Safeguard Future
4 years, 4 months ago

Chinese Football Chief Calls For Further Salary Cuts to Safeguard Future

News 18  

Chinese football clubs must implement further salary cuts to safeguard the future of the professional game in the country, the president of the Chinese Football Association has warned as he seeks to impose new controls on spending. Chen Xuyuan, who took over as the head of the game’s governing body in China in August last year, called for financial prudence …

Plan envisions China as strong sporting nation
5 years, 7 months ago

Plan envisions China as strong sporting nation

China Daily  

Yoga lovers practice at a gym in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, on Aug 8, 2018. Outline from State Council calls for better funding, facilities and policies Through reforms of key events and promotion of mass fitness, China vows to develop balanced athletic prowess to build a strong sporting nation by 2050, according to a national outline. The …

The foreign footballers giving up their passports to become Chinese
5 years, 8 months ago

The foreign footballers giving up their passports to become Chinese

CNN  

CNN — In January 2019, Nico Yennaris gave back his British passport, moved to Beijing and became a naturalized Chinese citizen. “China has such a black and white definition of what’s Chinese and what is not,” says Cameron Wilson, a Chinese football writer in Shanghai. “That’s basically to ensure that Chinese players can get playing time,” said Wilson, the expert …

Chinese Football Association set to introduce salary cap on Super League clubs from next season to dampen spending
6 years, 4 months ago

Chinese Football Association set to introduce salary cap on Super League clubs from next season to dampen spending

Firstpost  

Chinese football has gained increasing worldwide prominence in recent years because of a series of well-known foreign stars moving to the country on eye-watering contracts. Shanghai: Chinese football is set to introduce more exacting regulations from next season to dampen spending by clubs, including a salary cap, state media said on Wednesday. The latest rules will help curb “irrational” investments …

Soccer World Cup needs more than 48 teams, FIFA chief says in Beijing
7 years, 11 months ago

Soccer World Cup needs more than 48 teams, FIFA chief says in Beijing

China Daily  

Fatma Samoura, secretary-general of FIFA, right, attends a ceremony to announce a partnership between FIFA and Hisense, a major consumer electronics manufacturer, in Beijing on April 6, 2017. The World Cup, soccer's elite tournament, should be expanded beyond the planned 48 teams to help grow the "beautiful game" in developing nations like China, a top FIFA executive said today in …

Soccer World Cup needs more than 48 teams, FIFA chief says in Beijing
7 years, 11 months ago

Soccer World Cup needs more than 48 teams, FIFA chief says in Beijing

China Daily  

Fatma Samoura, secretary-general of FIFA, right, attends a ceremony to announce a partnership between FIFA and Hisense, a major consumer electronics manufacturer, in Beijing on April 6, 2017. The World Cup, soccer's elite tournament, should be expanded beyond the planned 48 teams to help grow the "beautiful game" in developing nations like China, a top FIFA executive said today in …

Kicking off a whole new approach
8 years ago

Kicking off a whole new approach

China Daily  

How long-term thinking can help realize China's goals on the pitch English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion will travel to Shanghai this summer - a much easier journey than its previous visit to China, nearly four decades ago. On May 19, 1978, West Brom blanked China's national team 2-0 in front of 89,400 spectators at Workers' Stadium in the …

Chinese Football Association restricts foreign player numbers on pitch to curb massive spending
8 years, 2 months ago

Chinese Football Association restricts foreign player numbers on pitch to curb massive spending

Firstpost  

Teams in the Chinese Super League will be able to field no more than three foreigners in a match when the new 2017 season begins in March. Beijing: China said Monday it will cut foreign player numbers in top-flight teams to curb massive spending on overseas talent, with Chelsea’s Diego Costa the latest to be linked to a big-money move. …

From Uruguay to China: Investing in soccer, investing in China[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn
8 years, 3 months ago

From Uruguay to China: Investing in soccer, investing in China[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn

China Daily  

Editor's Note: In the wave of globalization and economic growth, a growing number of foreigners are coming to China in search of opportunities. With diverse aims, some choose to work in the world's second-biggest economy, or some want to experience a cross-cultural environment and successfully integrate into it, while others go on to achieve their aspirations in China. Nicolas Santo, …

Chinese soccer's rising riches yet to bode well for the game
8 years, 3 months ago

Chinese soccer's rising riches yet to bode well for the game

China Daily  

A HOST OF TEAMS in the Chinese Super League, the country's top soccer league, have witnessed big changes in their major shareholders as well as squads after this season. Southern Metropolis Daily commented on Thursday: Chinese soccer clubs hit the headlines on a regular basis because they continue to attract some of the world's top soccer players and astronomical investments. …

From Uruguay to China: Investing in soccer, investing in China[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn
8 years, 3 months ago

From Uruguay to China: Investing in soccer, investing in China[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn

China Daily  

Editor's Note: In the wave of globalization and economic growth, a growing number of foreigners are coming to China in search of opportunities. With diverse aims, some choose to work in the world's second-biggest economy, or some want to experience a cross-cultural environment and successfully integrate into it, while others go on to achieve their aspirations in China. Nicolas Santo, …

Goal of boosting Chinese soccer is great chance for Germany
8 years, 4 months ago

Goal of boosting Chinese soccer is great chance for Germany

China Daily  

Vice-Premier Liu Yandong exchanges with young football players last Friday during her visit in Germany. Last Friday, when Vice-Premier Liu Yandong visited Germany, the Chinese and German governments, their soccer associations, and leagues formerly entered into agreements to deepen cooperation. Having won the World Cup four times, Germany is also a natural partner to help China achieve its soccer ambitions. …

Goal of boosting Chinese soccer is great chance for Germany
8 years, 4 months ago

Goal of boosting Chinese soccer is great chance for Germany

China Daily  

Vice-Premier Liu Yandong exchanges with young football players last Friday during her visit in Germany. Last Friday, when Vice-Premier Liu Yandong visited Germany, the Chinese and German governments, their soccer associations, and leagues formerly entered into agreements to deepen cooperation. Having won the World Cup four times, Germany is also a natural partner to help China achieve its soccer ambitions. …

Country's new-found great appetite for all things soccer
8 years, 8 months ago

Country's new-found great appetite for all things soccer

China Daily  

Pupils play football in the 1st School Football Culture Festival of Xiangban Primary School in Fuzhou, the capital of Southeast China's Fujian province, on May 20, 2016. Led by some of the country's richest men, including Dalian Wanda Group Co founder Wang Jianlin and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's Jack Ma, Chinese businesses are at the table for almost every soccer …

China's national soccer guidelines offer win-win situation
8 years, 11 months ago

China's national soccer guidelines offer win-win situation

China Daily  

An Inter Milan fan poses at a soccer game between Real Madrid and Inter Milan in Guangzhou. In sports critics' eyes, cash-cow companies' unprecedented strong interest in European clubs may stem from the ambition heralded by the country to further spur soccer and the sports industry as a whole. In addition to a magnificent road map to fulfill the country's …

China's national soccer guidelines offer win-win situation
8 years, 11 months ago

China's national soccer guidelines offer win-win situation

China Daily  

An Inter Milan fan poses at a soccer game between Real Madrid and Inter Milan in Guangzhou. In sports critics' eyes, cash-cow companies' unprecedented strong interest in European clubs may stem from the ambition heralded by the country to further spur soccer and the sports industry as a whole. In addition to a magnificent road map to fulfill the country's …

Chinese soccer aims to be among world top teams by 2050[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn
8 years, 11 months ago

Chinese soccer aims to be among world top teams by 2050[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn

China Daily  

Huang Bowen's opening goal in a World Cup qualifier against Qatar on March 29 helped China secure a berth in Asia's final qualifying round after 15 years. BEIJING -- Chinese soccer is expected to edge its way into the world leading teams by 2050, according to a plan released by China's National Development and Reform Commission on Monday. According to …

Soccer helps Chinese firms aim for bigger goals
9 years, 1 month ago

Soccer helps Chinese firms aim for bigger goals

China Daily  

Wang Jianlin, chairman of Dalian Wanda Group Co Ltd, attends an investment agreement signing ceremony in Beijing with Spanish soccer champions Atletico de Madrid. Nowadays, Chinese cash-rich companies are one of the most active buyers and sponsors of European soccer clubs, having already made important incursions into Europe's top soccer competitions. The phenomenon, which gained pace last year with Chinese …

Soccer helps Chinese firms aim for bigger goals
9 years, 1 month ago

Soccer helps Chinese firms aim for bigger goals

China Daily  

In 2012, I found myself watching the final of the UEFA Euro tournament in the bar of a youth hostel in Qingdao during a university summer break. It was also hard to imagine that China's role in the European soccer industry would change from being a mere spectator to becoming an active player. Nowadays, Chinese cash-rich companies are one of …

China’s dream of soccer world domination
9 years, 2 months ago

China’s dream of soccer world domination

CNN  

Story highlights CSL teams break domestic transfer marks Ramires, Gervinho, Guarin arrive from Europe Martinez deal breaks Chinese record Ex-Brazil coach at champions Guangzhou CNN — For well-known soccer players who have given Europe a good run, plying their trades in the ambitious Chinese Super League is becoming a popular career move. It was not possible for Chinese clubs to …

Soccer frenzy draws crowds, sponsors[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn
9 years, 7 months ago

Soccer frenzy draws crowds, sponsors[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn

China Daily  

Huang Huan, a young professional in her thirties, does not consider herself to be a soccer fan. Yet, she spent 580 yuan on a single ticket - a small fortune for the average Chinese - to watch Germany's Bayern Munich and Spain's Valencia CF play at Beijing's Olympic stadium recently. Eight teams from Europe's soccer elite traveled to China during …

Soccer reform leads the field
10 years ago

Soccer reform leads the field

China Daily  

The comprehensive program for soccer reform and development published on Monday provides a blueprint for the healthy development of the sport in China, says a People's Daily article. The program involves multiple aspects related to the country's soccer, including its management system, the national team, professional clubs, football lottery, and campus football, as well as construction of playing fields. The …

China kicks off plan to turn soccer around[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn
10 years ago

China kicks off plan to turn soccer around[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn

China Daily  

China's U-23 players react next to their winning Thai counterparts during their Round of 16 soccer match at the 17th Asian Games at Ansan Wa Stadium in Incheon, South Korea, on Sept 25, 2015. An overall reform plan to boost the development of soccer in China has been issued by the State Council General Office. The reform and development of …

China passes soccer reform plan
10 years, 1 month ago

China passes soccer reform plan

China Daily  

BEIJING, Feb. 27 -- China's central reform group, captained by Chinese President Xi Jinping, on Friday kicked off a plan to revive soccer, a sport that embarrasses the nation despite it having its roots in an ancient Chinese game. "We must develop and revitalize soccer to ensure we are a strong nation of sports," according to a statement issued after …

Experts: China has strong shot to host World Cup
10 years, 8 months ago

Experts: China has strong shot to host World Cup

China Daily  

Now that the 2014 World Cup has ended, some Chinese are looking for ways to increase the country's participation in the global sporting event. "There is a possibility that China will host the World Cup in the next 20 years as its fast-growing economy appeals to FIFA," said Adam Zhang, founder of sports consultancy company Key-Sports. After meeting with Sohn …

Will China host the World Cup?[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn
10 years, 8 months ago

Will China host the World Cup?[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn

China Daily  

Millions of soccer fans in China are now getting up in the middle of night or staying awake to watch the Football World Cup being played in distant Brazil. Inspired by the talent of the best soccer players and the overwhelming international attention that the World Cup gets, many Chinese soccer fans may be wondering how long they will have …

Will China host the World Cup?[2]- Chinadaily.com.cn
10 years, 8 months ago

Will China host the World Cup?[2]- Chinadaily.com.cn

China Daily  

The fact that no Asian team reached the second round of the ongoing World Cup indicates that there is plenty of work ahead for Chinese footballers. President Xi Jinping, fond of the "beautiful game", has previously said that his wish is to see China host the World Cup. During his visit to China last month, soccer star David Beckham said …

Will China host the World Cup?[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn
10 years, 8 months ago

Will China host the World Cup?[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn

China Daily  

Millions of soccer fans in China are now getting up in the middle of night or staying awake to watch the Football World Cup being played in distant Brazil. Inspired by the talent of the best soccer players and the overwhelming international attention that the World Cup gets, many Chinese soccer fans may be wondering how long they will have …

Chinese learn soccer in Brazil
10 years, 8 months ago

Chinese learn soccer in Brazil

China Daily  

Teen girls taking part in a three-year program to hone skills under pros About 14 young Chinese women football players recently arrived in Brazil for a three-year professional football training in Ribeirao Preto, a city located in the northeastern part of the country. "Our first group of players have made significant progress," said Xu, who used to be the gatekeeper …

Chinese invest in Italian soccer club(视频)
12 years, 6 months ago

Chinese invest in Italian soccer club(视频)

China Daily  

Get Flash Player Get Flash Player Download MILAN — A group of Chinese investors is set to become the second-biggest stakeholder in an Italian soccer club, Milan's team Internazionale. With Europe's continuing economic troubles, fans say they are excited about the deal bringing more financial security and a new stadium, built by China's second-biggest construction company. Sports commentator Gian Luca …

Road to Brazil 2014 begins at home
14 years, 9 months ago

Road to Brazil 2014 begins at home

China Daily  

Op-Ed Contributors Road to Brazil 2014 begins at home By Joergen Lindgren Hansen Updated: 2010-06-25 07:50 The training should be rigorous and team-based with an emphasis on foundational techniques. Although many people have access to ping-pong tables and badminton courts, there are few public venues where people can play sports that require larger spaces, such as volleyball, basketball, and of …

Road to Brazil 2014 begins at home
14 years, 9 months ago

Road to Brazil 2014 begins at home

China Daily  

Op-Ed Contributors Road to Brazil 2014 begins at home By Joergen Lindgren Hansen Updated: 2010-06-25 07:50 The training should be rigorous and team-based with an emphasis on foundational techniques. Although many people have access to ping-pong tables and badminton courts, there are few public venues where people can play sports that require larger spaces, such as volleyball, basketball, and of …

Soccer craze
14 years, 9 months ago

Soccer craze

China Daily  

Editorials Soccer craze Updated: 2010-06-11 07:55 Sports recognize no borders. This may partly explain why quite a few Chinese are big soccer fans. Be that as it may, the state of Chinese soccer will perhaps be the last thing they would want to talk about. Appreciating the dazzling displays of soccer skills and the professionalism of top-level stars during the …

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