Chinese President Xi Jinping ‘not so sure’ about national football team, says they were lucky to beat Thailand
- China beat Thailand 2-1 in a Group C qualifying match for the 2026 Fifa World Cup
- Recording reveals Xi’s off-the-cuff remark, with him questioning national team’s level
Chinese President Xi Jinping has said he is “not so sure” of the abilities of the men’s national football team, despite their recent victory over Thailand.
When discussing the match with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Xi made the rare off-the-cuff remark, according to a video posted on Saturday by a Thai government account on X, formerly Twitter.
After evidently hearing the results of the recent match, Xi said: “I think there was a lot of luck involved.
“Because now, about our national team, I’m not so sure about their level,” Xi said ahead of a meeting of Apec [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation] leaders in San Francisco. “There are ups and downs,” he added.
Xi, who has previously described himself as a football fan, said he dreams of China hosting and winning a World Cup one day.