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Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Chinese Football Association (CFA)
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.
A squad of football players from University College Dublin were invited by the Chinese football association to play a series of matches across the country in 1976. Photo: X/ChinaEmbIreland

Irish footballers return to China 50 years after tour akin to ‘going to the moon’

Players from a university in Ireland were invited to play in China in 1976 – and accidentally found themselves witnessing history.

Children’s tournament at centre of latest match-fixing scandal in China football

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China under-16 women’s team beat hosts France for second win in invitational event

Fifa World Cup 2026

China football team sucker-punched by early goals in wake-up call against Cameroon

Defeat to higher-ranked ‘Indomitable Lions’ in Fifa Series in Melbourne comes four days after win over World Cup-bound Curacao.

China’s Liu Haofan (left) wins an aerial battle against Cameroon in his team’s loss in a Fifa Series match at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
2026 Olympic Winter Games

Chinese Winter Olympic champs Ning Zhongyan, Wang Xindi to play league football

Speed skating history maker and aerials skiing ace will play for Harbin and Shenyang respectively in Northeast Super League.

China bans 73 from all football for life, hits 13 teams with fines, points loss

Former Chinese Football Association president Chen Xuyuan, ex-national team coach Li Tie among those punished.

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China’s under-23 football team receive rapturous welcome home after Asian Cup run

Keeper Li Hao’s solid performances help increase his social media following by more than 600,000 followers; Xu Bin linked to Premier League.

Kuai Jiwen (front) of the Chinese under-23 men’s football team hugging fans at Beijing Daxing International Airport on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese U-23s win credit for ‘igniting new hope’ despite Asian Cup loss to Japan

Mainland youngsters concede twice in each half as Japan retain title; fans and executives draw encouragement for future.

Fifa

China football fans set to flock to Saudi Arabia to support under-23 team in cup final

The Chinese consulate-general in Jeddah quickly shut down online rumours that Chinese passport holders could attend the final for free.

China defy expectations to reach final of AFC U-23 Asian Cup for first time

Head coach Antonio Puche Vicente is full of praise for his team: ‘I think we played an excellent game today, both with and without the ball’.

China’s under-23 football team celebrate reaching the final of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup for the first time after a 3-0 semi-final win over Vietnam in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Xinhua

China make history by advancing to quarter-finals of AFC U-23 Asian Cup

The team finishes second in the group behind Australia with one win and two draws, will play Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals in Jeddah.

China’s under-23 football team (orange) finished second in their group at the AFC U-23 Asian Cup. Photo: Xinhua
Trending in China

China entrepreneur promises football players a car each, retracts offer after big win

Team members express private discontent after withdrawal of vehicle pledge; soccer association say they ‘understand’ businesswoman’s position.

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong’s footballers could play China, Chinese Taipei regularly in new league

Asian chiefs planning new Nations League similar to the one in Europe, aimed at raising standards and revenue.

Chinese football fans urge more support, less interference for latest coach Shao

Global search ends close to home with another veteran of 2002 World Cup squad appointed and asked to ‘rebuild confidence’.

China’s men’s football team have suffered multiple disappointments in recent years. Photo: EPA-EFE
Trending in China

Togo international Asamoah in paralysis fear after China football match collision

Samuel Asamoah struck an advertising hoarding with his neck after being pushed while playing for Guangxi Pingguo in a League One game.

Samuel Asamoah is recovering from surgery and is in a stable condition according to his club. Photo: Getty Images
Ante Milicic

China boss Milicic wants country to focus on future or risk falling further behind

Women’s head coach Ante Milicic says World Cup and Olympic failures mean it is time to stop dwelling on past success.

Fifa World Cup

World Football Summit: game in China tipped to come back from brink

Pere Garcia, the Henan FC sporting director, expects China to end World Cup pain by 2034, optimistic over players earning European deals.

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The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong striker Udebuluzor closing in on Estonia transfer amid Spanish interest

Young centre-forward keen to leave German club VfR Mannheim, but move to China League One collapsed following controversial remarks.

Hong Kong’s Michael Udebuluzor (second from right) shoots against Iran at Hong Kong Stadium last year. Photo: Sam Tsang
Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

2 more Chinese football officials jailed and fined in corruption crackdown

Ex-head of Chinese Super League Liu Jun, former CFA disciplinary committee chief Wang Xiaoping both sentenced to more than decade behind bars.

East Asian Football Championship

Hong Kong striker Udebuluzor sacked by China club 24 hours after signing contract

After days of rumour and speculation, Suzhou Dongwu on Friday announced the signing of two new players, neither of whom was the striker.

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong striker angers China fans with post-match comments, asks for forgiveness

Michael Udebuluzor tells the Post he may have to reconsider move to Chinese League One side Suzhou Dongwu.

Michael Udebuluzor (left) fights for the ball during Hong Kong’s East Asian Championship clash with China. Photo: AP
The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Is Chan recall sign China are running scared of Hong Kong? Nothing to it, HKFA says

Shinichi Chan returns to club Shanghai Shenhua ahead of Tuesday’s game, but teammates have not yet been recalled from China squad.

Hong Kong left-back Shinichi Chan (right) in action against South Korea in the East Asian Football Championship. Photo: Xinhua
East Asian Football Championship

East Asian Championship: China lose to Japan, face Hong Kong wooden spoon fight

Mao Hosoya blasts Japan in front after 11 minutes, before Chinese fate sealed by second-half Henry Heroki Mochizuki strike.

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East Asian Football Championship

26 years after World Cup final loss to USA, are China’s women even best in Asia?

Chinese concede late equaliser to South Korea titan Ji So-yun, who was key for USA boss Emma Hayes during eight decorated Chelsea years.

East Asian Football Championship

Give women top jobs, says China’s Wu, as 4 men take charge at Asia football comp

Captain Wu Haiyan says change would be ‘big improvement’ for game ahead of women’s regional tournament, Japan head coach reveals why he quit Man City.

China captain Wu Haiyan (right) speaks during a press conference ahead of her side’s match against South Korea in the East Asian Football Championship. Photo: Xinhua
East Asian Football Championship

China’s new era gets off to losing start at East Asian Football Championship

South Korea leave A-listers at home but still too powerful for China in opening match of East Asian Football Championships.

South Korea’s Lee Dong-gyeong (left) celebrates with his teammate Kim Moon-hwan after scoring against China at Yongin Mireu Stadium. Photo: AP
Trending in China

Chinese football team fined for channelling evil spirits to help beat rivals

Changchun Xidu found guilty of placing paper charms in opponents’ dressing room before matches.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Beijing Guoan team bus seized over debt issues, players forced to hire bikes

Real estate company Sinobo Group, which holds a 64 per cent stake in the club, reportedly owes more than 3.68 billion yuan (US$502 million).

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