Thursday night in Saitama, China’s national football team suffered its most embarrassing loss under hot, muggy conditions. With barely one minute left on the clock and trailing Japan 6-0, Chinese defenders probably yearned for the last whistle.

But Takefusa Kubo of Japan had no charitable intentions. After seeing his colleagues play with their opponent, he got a pass on the outskirts of the Chinese box and blasted a thundering shot into the net. With a 7-0 loss, China’s worst-ever performance in a World Cup qualifier cemented the crisis in Chinese football, which had descended to fresh depths.

Said to be “rock-bottom” by a Shanghai-based newspaper, this dismal setback in September came after a run of humiliating losses against Oman, Uzbekistan, and even Hong Kong. For supporters who had formerly thought China’s footballing potential was great, the national team’s performance became a cause of increasing annoyance and humiliation.

Was corruption the last strike against Chinese football?

The matter got worse just one week later. As part of a two-year probe into corruption in Chinese football, hundreds of players, coaches, and officials were arrested in a broad crackdown on gambling, match-fixing, and bribes. Investigators discovered that illegal behavior was firmly ingrained in national team systems and domestic leagues, erasing credibility.

And the suffering continued there as well. Australia suffered more on Tuesday, defeating China 2-0 in Hangzhou. This loss confirmed China’s position at the bottom of her World Cup qualifying group, aggravating the China Football Crisis. Once a hopeful competitor, China today battled to match even mid-tier Asian teams.

Why did China Dream of Footballing Success?

Not too long ago, China hoped to be a football giant. The foundations appeared strong, given the world’s largest population, growing economy, and Communist Party headed by fervent football player President Xi Jinping. However, anything might go wrong.

Xi dreamed grandly. When he took office in 2012, his love of football sparked a national movement to improve and reform Chinese football. He famously listed his “three wishes”: China should host the World Cup, qualify for it, and finally win it. These goals drove large expenditures in football infrastructure, academies’ growth, international alliances, and football equipment.

Still, pouring money into the issue did not show results right away. The Chinese Super League (CSL) recruited foreign players and coaches, which resulted in a brief surge in domestic football. Nevertheless, native Chinese players did not improve much despite the flood of international talent, and the national team’s problems continued.

Why did the football reforms in China fail?

Though there were great expectations, even Xi seemed to lose trust a decade later. He was caught in a frank moment during an international summit in 2023, stating to Thailand’s prime minister that China had just “got lucky” in a recent triumph over Thailand. This rare moment of integrity highlighted that China’s footballing aspirations were far from fulfilled.

“When China’s government puts its mind to something, it rarely fails,” noted a sports commentator stationed in Beijing. “See the Olympics and consider electric cars. China is right up there in practically any field you can name.

Football was the exception as the China Football Crisis became more severe. Experts said the issue went beyond corruption to include an illogical approach toward sports growth. Football success calls on grassroots investment, patience, and an organic football culture—qualities not quickly produced overnight.

Did Chinese football fall under the grip of the Communist Party?

A crucial government assessment released in 2015 noted that the Chinese Football Association (CFA) had “legal autonomy” and should be “independent” from the General Administration of Sport (GAS). Even Xi himself acknowledged that the Party would have to let go—something it seldom does—if China were to flourish.

Beijing, meantime, did not let go. Instead, political control stayed strict, hindering the sport’s growth. Political intervention resulted in bureaucratic inefficiencies, a lack of openness, and prioritizing short-term benefits above long-term success, undermining a meritocratic system.

Former Chinese athletes and coaches have spoken about the CFA’s inflexible policies stifling development. “People who have never played the game often make decisions,” said one former coach. “There’s no real football culture at the decision-making level.”

Young Chinese players often struggle to grow under rigid systems with antiquated training techniques and too high-performance expectations. Unlike countries where the game is ingrained in daily life, China has not developed a real footballing identity.

Can China Still Breathe Life into Its Football Dream?

Many wonder if China can ever turn things around as the football crisis shows no signs of recovery. Some analysts think China’s whole footballing philosophy must be changed entirely, stressing long-term player development instead of short-term fixes.

Grassroots football requires significant investment. Nations like Japan and South Korea have succeeded by developing young talent over decades, creating competitive leagues, and ensuring their players encounter top European leagues.

Reducing political intervention and letting football professionals guide decision-making could also enable Chinese football to recover. “The key is patience,” a football observer said. Success does not arrive overnight. China must approach things in 20-year increments rather than five-year increments.

China’s footballing dream needs a reset, even if it’s not dead. Should significant adjustments be made, the national team might finally climb from the brink of disaster and take the front stage internationally. Until then, the China Football Crisis will remain a warning story of how even the most aspirational ideas may fall apart without appropriate vision and execution.