Editorial | Women’s football in China worth backing
- Success will depend on developing a sporting culture among girls and young women, and that will take time
The first World Cup for women’s football was hosted by China more than 30 years ago. Now, a bid is to be made to bring the prestigious competition back to where it started. China hopes to host the 2031 World Cup.
The move is part of ambitious plans to dramatically raise the profile, popularity and performance of the women’s game in the country. The strategy, announced by China’s football association and government departments, is long overdue.
Women’s football on the mainland has lagged far behind the men’s game in terms of financial backing and broader support. It is time for a change.
China’s national team, known as the Steel Roses, have been much more successful in recent times than their lamentable male counterparts. They won the AFC Asian Women’s Cup this year for the first time since 2006 and have qualified for next year’s World Cup finals.
But the task that lies ahead should not be underestimated. The Chinese were a leading power in women’s football in the 1990s, reaching the World Cup final at the end of that decade. They have since been overtaken as the game has developed worldwide. The Steel Roses are ranked 15th in the world.
The plan sets aggressive benchmarks with the aim to make China one of the top three women’s teams. There will also be 30 new youth centres for women’s football and 50 additional clubs to play in domestic leagues.