The Chinese national soccer team’s performance has been abysmal, as demonstrated by their recent 0-7 loss to Japan. This is despite the team receiving significant financial support from the communist regime. Experts believe that this poor performance is closely linked to corruption and scandals within the Chinese soccer industry, which are indicative of how the communist regime stifles the sporting industry.
China’s loss to Japan in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers was described as humiliating by commentators on Chinese state media. The Chinese team has historically performed poorly against Japan, winning only once in the past 20 years, despite massive investments from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in soccer. Currently ranked 91st in FIFA rankings, China has dropped four places since July.
Soccer is a highly commercialized sport in China, with matches from various European leagues regularly broadcasted on state TV channels due to its large fan base. However, illegal betting has plagued the Chinese soccer industry in the past, with many high-level officials being implicated.
Following their loss to Japan, 61 individuals were punished for participating in illegal betting and fixed matches. The police have shut down online gambling rings and uncovered fixed games involving players, managers, referees, and club executives since 2022.
Corruption within Chinese soccer extends beyond betting operations. The entire system is tainted from player selection to match outcomes. Corruption frequently surfaces within China’s soccer community and even led to last year’s arrest of the head of the Chinese Football Association.
This systemic issue reflects broader problems within CCP governance and its approach to sports. The obsession with uniformity and standardization hinders innovation and creativity in sports like soccer. Players are selected based on rigid criteria such as height and speed rather than talent or skill.
Coaches are expected to follow prescribed strategies without room for improvisation or flexibility on tactical decision-making. This lack of adaptability limits players’ ability to perform well internationally.
corruption and a rigid approach hinder China’s success in international soccer tournaments while reflecting larger issues within CCP governance that stifle innovation and creativity across various industries.
