Chinese Soccer Fans: The World's Best Supporters (Without a Team to Support)

It has been more than 20 years since the Chinese men’s national team last qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 2002, leaving generations of fans without the chance to cheer for their country on soccer’s biggest stage. But that hasn’t dampened their passion for the sport. Many Chinese elements can still be spotted in this year’s event, from Labubu mascots at the opening ceremony to the official match ball, which is manufactured in Shenzhen.

According to a 2025 report from the Chinese Football Association, China now has over 980,000 registered football players. In recent years, the surge of grassroots tournaments like Guizhou’s “Village Super League” and Jiangsu’s “Su Super League,” along with the promising performances of youth teams and the women’s national team, has renewed hope for the future of soccer in China.