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No team, no problem: Chinese football fans at the World Cup 2026

Despite expensive tickets, travel distances and safety concerns, diehard supporters from China head to North America for the World Cup.

Published: 12:50pm, 25 Jun 2026Updated: 12:37pm, 25 Jun 2026

With the 2026 World Cup under way in North America, countless Chinese football fans have made the journey to watch the tournament in person. Despite China’s national team failing to qualify, these diehard supporters have spent thousands of dollars on tickets and flights to catch icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, as well as referee Ma Ning, China’s biggest presence at the tournament.

No team, no problem: Chinese football fans at the World Cup 2026

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Despite expensive tickets, travel distances and safety concerns, diehard supporters from China head to North America for the World Cup.

Despite expensive tickets, travel distances and safety concerns, diehard supporters from China head to North America for the World Cup.