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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.
Buddhist Chi Lin Primary School’s “World Cup Round of 16 Family Fun Day” in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, on July 12, with students and their parents cheering for their favourite team during the Argentina vs Switzerland game. Photo: Dickson Lee
Fifa World Cup 2026

Editorial | World Cup has showcased the beautiful game despite some ugly moments

While high ticket prices, visa issues and a Trump intervention cast a shadow on the tournament, the engrossing competition has also brought people together.

Chinese Super League

Chinese teen Wei Xiangxin signs multi-year contract with French club Auxerre

Thanks but no thanks: China fans happy to see Cabo Verde friendly scrapped

Ex-England striker Michael Owen delights Chinese fans at Village Super League

One-time Liverpool and Real Madrid star plays in friendly match in Guizhou to fulfil promise he made last year after region was hit by floods.

Michael Owen captained Rongjiang Niubi and scored two goals as they lost 4-3 to Guizhou Cili in a friendly match at the Village Super League stadium on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua
United States

With no team in World Cup, Chinese fans root for Ronaldo, Messi … and a referee

Chinese team has not played in tournament for 24 years, so supporters follow world’s two most famous players and a strict mainland official.

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China youth football star badly beaten by adult players after ‘verbal dispute’

Altercation between Zhangjiajie side and Guangdong Mingtu under-16 academy team leaves one player with broken hand and injuries to face, body.

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Fifa World Cup 2026

China World Cup hopes pinned on Ma Ning, could ‘impartial’ ref oversee final?

The 46-year-old is poised for second finals, while country’s footballers must wait at least another four years to add to 2002 appearance.

Ma Ning disallows an Al-Ittihad goal in an AFC Champions League Elite tie in April. Photo: Getty Images

Young Chinese footballer makes history signing for Barcelona’s famed academy

The 14-year-old Li Haoyan will join the club’s under-15 side next season after attracting interest from other teams like Espanyol, Villarreal.

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Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

China youth team finish runners-up in U17 Asian Cup after narrow defeat to Japan

Head coach Bin Ukishima said his players ‘will gain a lot from the trials of this tournament, which will help them improve’ in the future.

China bans 17 people for life, 48 for five years or less and fines 1 team

The latest penalties ‌build on earlier rounds ⁠of ⁠punishment this year and in ‌September 2024 that saw 116 ‌individuals banned for life.

China’s former head coach Li Tie was previously handed ⁠a lifetime ban. Photo: AP
Fifa World Cup 2026

China youth teams make World Cups amid Fifa hopes of seeing nation back at the top

Both under-17 men’s and women’s teams reach final stages of Asian Cup to book World Cup spots as Mattias Grafstrom praises Chinese system.

China lost 2-1 defeat to Japan in Jeddah last Saturday, with Zhao Songyuan (right) scoring his team’s goal, but China qualified for the quarter-finals after beating Qatar 2-0 on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua
Wang Yudong

China’s emerging football generation rising to the occasion gives fans hope

Young players, who reached AFC U23 Asian Cup final, are playing pivotal roles in their club teams’ strong positions in the domestic standings.

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

Governing body bans four adults, launches investigation after teams trying to avoid winning score six own goals between them in under-10s game.

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The China Youth Football League clash between Dongcheng Sports School 16 Orange and Kickers Lan has sparked allegations of match-fixing. Photo: Handout

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

Chinese have two wins from two matches in six-team Montaigu Cup, and are second in standings behind Japan, who are also unbeaten.

China beat England 1-0 in their opening match in Pouzauges on Monday. Photo: Handout
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.

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.

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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.

Former China head coach Li Tie is among the 73 people who have been banned from all football-related activities for life. Photo: AFP

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.

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.

Chinese football fans are expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia in large numbers to cheer on the under-23 team. Photo: handout

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.

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.

Fans show their support for Hong Kong during the Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore at Kai Tak Stadium last month. Photo: Sam Tsang

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.

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.

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