As North America hosts the World Cup, China remains absent from the competition, highlighting ongoing challenges in its quest to become a soccer powerhouse. Despite ambitious plans set by President Xi Jinping, including hosting and winning the tournament, China’s national team has not qualified since its sole appearance in 2002.

Challenges in Building Soccer Culture

China’s efforts to foster a soccer culture have faced significant hurdles. The Chinese Football Association’s 2016 blueprint aimed to create 70,000 pitches and involve 30 million schoolchildren in the sport by 2020. However, the men’s team has fallen in global rankings, and the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams has not improved China’s prospects.

Soccer’s integration into Chinese culture has been complicated by political and economic factors. The initial surge in investment, driven by real estate developers seeking government favor, led to lavish spending on foreign players and stadiums. However, this model proved unsustainable, with many clubs facing financial difficulties, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and government crackdowns on debt.

Grassroots Efforts and Cultural Barriers

Efforts to build soccer from the grassroots level have been met with cultural challenges. Rowan Simons, a British commentator, notes that China’s lack of amateur clubs and reliance on government organization contrasts with the community-driven nature of soccer in countries like England. The pressure of China’s rigorous college entrance exams also diverts students from sports, further hindering the development of a soccer culture.

Despite these obstacles, there are signs of hope. Amateur players, from delivery drivers to villagers, are drawing crowds in local stadiums, suggesting a growing interest in the sport. However, without a strong foundation of amateur clubs and community involvement, China’s dream of soccer success remains elusive.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.