Topic
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) was founded in 1924 and is the main governing body for soccer in China. The group officially affiliated itself with Fifa in 1931 and joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 1974. The CFA runs the national men's, women's and youth teams for soccer, beach soccer and futsal. The CFA is governed by the Chinese State General Administration of Sports. In 2012, two former CFA chiefs, a former national team captain, the country's top referee, and at least four former national team players were convicted for taking bribes and sentenced to time in prison in a crackdown against corruption in the sport.
Hong Kong and China took different paths to elimination from the Asian Cup, but reflecting on their performance and progress will boost their prospects in the World Cup qualifiers
China’s early exit from the game’s biggest stage shows that much work needs to be done if it is to become one of the world’s top teams again.
Biggest graft scandal in a decade threatens to drag Chinese men’s football to an even lower level with investigations also spreading to other sports.
A decade after the nation’s last big football corruption crackdown, history appears to be repeating itself. While these is no quick fix, a new approach is sorely needed so that moves are made to reach that goal
At the World Cup, Japan, South Korea and Australia have shown what Asian nations are capable of; it’s now time for the world’s most populous nation to find 11 players who can emulate the triumphs of other teams from the region.
Success will depend on developing a sporting culture among girls and young women, and that will take time.
The success of China’s female footballers has again put their male counterparts in the shade, and their strength of character deserves to be rewarded.
Former FA chairman Chen Xuyuan was jailed after a nationwide corruption investigation into the game on the mainland.
Emotional China captain Zhang Linpeng tells reporters he’s ending international career, as fans blast ‘disgraceful’ performance.
Branko Ivankovic says men’s team must be adaptable to modern game as they face two crucial matches against Singapore.
Although there has been no official announcement, website shows Zhang is now Secretary of the Party Committee of the Chinese Football Association.
Fans snap up 30,000 tickets for game in Adelaide in May, the 13th successive time women’s team has attracted a capacity crowd.
Co-owned by City Football Group and newly relocated from Chengdu, the Chinese Super League newcomers were routed in their first home match and drew a modest crowd.
Branko Ivankovic appointed ‘after the assessment of experts’ with China third in their qualifying group for 2026 World Cup, following flop at this year’s Asian Cup.
Matches are expected to take place in Hangzhou and Beijing during Fifa international window, but if Messi makes trip he will miss Inter Miami’s league game against New York Red Bulls.
Chen was placed under investigation last February for “serious violations of discipline and the law”.
‘Today is a sad day,’ Ronaldo says as he apologises to his Chinese fans for postponement of matches in Shenzhen on Wednesday and Sunday, while organisers blame unspecified ‘health reason’.
Rumours swirl as Ronaldo is not spotted in training footage, after previous Al Nassr clip showed him with a calf wrapped in tape ahead of two games in Shenzhen this week.
Social media users reject forward Wu Lei’s suggestion that China have struggled partly because the underdogs got better.
Inaugural Chinese Super League champions were relegated at the end of the 2023 season, and have been denied admission by football bosses on the mainland.
Weibo users say selection of naturalised players who are making an impact for Hong Kong contrasts with those recruited by mainland China.
Ex-Chinese Football Association boss Chen Xuyuan made the admission in a documentary aired on state television that also featured former national team boss and Li Tie.
Matt Orr earns his hoped-for move to mainland China’s top league as his goalscoring feats in the second tier win him 2023’s player-of-the-year award.
Cristiano Ronaldo and his Al Nassr side will play games in Shanghai and Shenzhen this month, and while striker’s fans express delight at snapping up seats, Lionel Messi supporters make fun of ‘scramble for tickets’.
Shen Mengyu’s goal just before half-time for China’s women’s footballers is the first conceded by the United States since their first match of the World Cup in July.
The Saudi Pro League’s big spending on foreign players like Cristiano Ronaldo has drawn inevitable comparisons to the doomed Chinese Super League, but will it learn from China’s mistakes?
Shui Qingxia pays price for team missing out on Paris Olympics next year, and Chinese football bosses say they will give ‘careful consideration’ to a successor.
While speaking with Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin about Thursday’s match between the two countries, Xi says he’s ‘not so sure’ about the level of China’s team.
After a draw with South Korea, China are eliminated from the AFC Women’s Olympic Asian Qualifying tournament, marking this the second Olympic Games where China will not be represented.
Match in Chengdu cancelled six days out from Inter Miami’s arrival in China, with organisers citing ‘various reasons’ for the change.
Inter Miami reshuffle plans for tour of China at short notice, with supporters even more mystified after tickets fail to go on sale at planned time.
Hopes of reaching first Fifa showpiece since 2002 low among supporters after daunting draw for first round of Asian qualifiers.
Two matches announced, with Inter set to visit Qingdao and Chengdu on November 5 and 8, coinciding with MLS playoffs, which they are out of contention to reach.
Fans despair on social media as China’s men’s national team lose 2-0 to South Korea, ending medal chances in Hangzhou.
Beijing’s state system for sport aims for glory in the international arena but is criticised for corruption and neglecting grass-roots participation.