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A Soccer Mystery: Why Mighty China Fails at the World's Biggest Sport

  • China faces elimination from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers if it loses to Indonesia in the decisive upcoming match.
  • This struggle follows a history of poor men’s team performance, marked by just one World Cup qualification and recent corruption scandals.
  • Soccer development suffers from political interference, widespread corruption, lack of grassroots talent, and parental reluctance to involve children in the sport.
  • Li Tie, the national coach from 2020 to 2022, received a 20-year prison sentence last year for bribery and match fixing, symbolizing corruption problems.
  • Observers say China's soccer issues reflect broader social and political challenges, which may hinder progress despite the sport’s national importance.
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28 Articles

Associated Press NewsAssociated Press News
+23 Reposted by 23 other sources
Lean Left

A soccer mystery: Why mighty China fails at the world's biggest sport

China will be eliminated from soccer World Cup qualification if it fails to beat Indonesia on Thursday.

·United States
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Bias Distribution

  • 46% of the sources lean Left, 45% of the sources are Center
46% Left

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The Independent broke the news in London, United Kingdom on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
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