Beijing, August 21, 2025 — The Europe Today: China’s central government has reiterated its determination to revive the country’s struggling soccer program, pledging stronger youth development initiatives and rigorous anti-corruption measures to elevate the men’s game to international standards.
The commitment follows China’s repeated failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, with the men’s national team missing out on the tournament for the sixth consecutive time. The disappointment has underscored the urgency for reforms, particularly as China seeks to build balanced sporting strength across disciplines by 2035, a target set in its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–25).
At a recent high-level meeting chaired by State Councilor Shen Yiqin, officials, sports authorities, club representatives, and youth training bodies discussed strategies for a turnaround. Shen stressed that an overhaul in youth training, league operations, and governance is critical. “We will maintain rigorous disciplinary scrutiny and anti-corruption measures to ensure the sport’s revitalization proceeds in a healthy and clean environment,” she said.
The General Administration of Sport of China (GASC) has instructed regional soccer federations and key ministries — including education and finance — to align efforts in building a nationwide youth-first approach for the upcoming 2026–30 development period.
GASC Minister Gao Zhidan emphasized the urgent need to boost competitiveness in soccer, volleyball, and basketball, collectively seen as vital markers of global sporting power. “Having already made progress in reform and the fight against corruption, we now have to invest more in youth development to build the future from the ground up,” he said.
Soccer has been prioritized under China’s “633” elite sports development project, which focuses on maintaining dominance in six core sports, advancing swimming and athletics, and raising the international level of the three major ball games.
China’s underwhelming performance in the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers — finishing fifth in its group with only three wins in ten matches — has intensified calls for reform. Currently ranked 94th by FIFA and 14th in Asia, the team’s failure highlights the wide gap between its youth program and that of world-class nations like Japan and Spain.
In response, authorities approved measures including a five-tier national youth training system, from county to national levels, supported by international expertise. The China Youth Football League has also expanded with regional competitions to provide young players with more match experience.
Former national team captain Fan Zhiyi stressed the importance of qualified coaches in shaping the next generation. “Many teenagers lack professional guidance at the initial stage of their training, which makes their basic skills poor, leading to bad performances in the future,” he said.
With rising expectations from fans and growing national ambition, China’s soccer authorities are now under pressure to deliver results and transform the sport into a pillar of the country’s international sporting reputation.
