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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
28 Articles
The Hamilton SpectatorReposted by 
MACAU DAILY TIMES 澳門每日時報
MACAU DAILY TIMES 澳門每日時報A soccer mystery: Why mighty China fails at the world’s biggest sport
In April, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited a company that makes humanoid robots. There he floated an idea to fix the country's woeful men's soccer team.
·Hamilton, Canada
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1.4 Billion People, 40 Olympic Golds — But Still Can’t Find 11 Top Soccer Players: China’s Great Sporting Mystery
BEIJING, CHINA. June 4, 2025 — In April, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited a company that makes humanoid robots. There he floated an idea to fix the country’s woeful men’s soccer team. “Can we have robots join the team?” Xi was quoted as saying on the website of Zhiyuan Robotics. It might be too late. China will be out of World Cup qualifying if it fails to beat Indonesia on Thursday. Even a victory may only delay the departure. What’s the pr…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources28
Leaning Left10Leaning Right2Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Left, 45% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Left, 45% of the sources are Center
46% Left
L 46%
C 45%
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