China national football team

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The China national football team (Template:Lang-zh), recognised as China PR by FIFA, represents China in men's international association football and is governed by the Chinese Football Association (CFA).

China won the EAFF East Asian Cup in 2005 and 2010, was runner-up at the AFC Asian Cup in 1984 and 2004 and made its sole FIFA World Cup appearance in 2002, losing all matches without scoring a goal.

History

As Republic of China (1913–1949)

File:Chinese olympic football team 1936.jpg

Chinese Olympic football team in Berlin, 1936

China's first-ever international representative match was arranged by Elwood Brown, president of the Philippine Athletic Association, who proposed the creation of the Far Eastern Championship Games, a multi-sport event considered to be a precursor to the Asian Games.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He invited China (Republic of China) to participate in the inaugural 1913 Far Eastern Championship Games held in the Philippines, which included association football within the schedule. To represent them, it was decided that the winner of the football at the Chinese National Games in 1910 should have the honour to represent the country, where it was won by South China Football Club.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The club's founder and coach Mok Hing (Chinese: 莫慶) would become China's first coach and on 4 February 1913 in a one-off tournament game held in the Manila he led China to a 2–1 defeat against the Philippines national football team.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The political unrest of the Xinhai Revolution that mired China's participation in the first tournament, especially in renaming the team as Republic of China national football team, did not stop Shanghai being awarded the 1915 Far Eastern Championship Games. Once again South China Football Club, now known as South China Athletic Association won the right to represent the nation. This time in a two legged play-off against the Philippines, China won the first game 1–0 and then drew the second 0–0 to win their first ever tournament.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> With the games being the first and only regional football tournament for national teams outside Britain, China looked to establish themselves as a regional powerhouse by winning a total of nine championships.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The Chinese Football Association was founded in 1924 and then was first affiliated with FIFA in 1931.<ref name=FIFA1>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> With these foundations in place China looked to establish themselves within the international arena and along with Japan were the first Asian sides to participate in the Football at the Summer Olympics when they competed within the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Germany. At the tournament China were knocked out within their first game at the round of 16 when they were beaten by Great Britain Olympic football team 2–0 on 6 August 1936.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 7 July 1937 the Second Sino-Japanese War officially erupted, which saw the relations between China and Japan completely eroded especially once it was announced that Japan would hold the 1938 Far Eastern Championship Games.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The tournament would be officially cancelled while Japan held their own tournament called the 2600th Anniversary of the Japanese Empire, which included the Japanese puppet states Manchukuo and the collaborationist National Reorganised Government of China based in occupied Nanjing. But none of the top Chinese players competed in the Japanese Empire anniversary games.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> None of the games during the Second Sino-Japanese War are officially recognized and once the war ended on 9 September 1945 China looked to the Olympics once again for international recognition. On 2 August 1948 China competed in the Football at the 1948 Summer Olympics where they were once again knocked out in the last sixteen, this time by Turkey national football team in a 4–0 defeat.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> When the players returned they found the country in the midst of the Chinese Civil War. When it ended, the team had been split into two, one called the People's Republic of China national football team and the other called Republic of China national football team (later renamed Chinese Taipei national football team).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Early People's Republic (1950–1979)

The newly instated People's Republic of China reformed CFA before having FIFA acknowledge their 1931 membership on 14 June 1952.<ref name=360doc>Template:Cite news</ref> Finland, who were one of the first nations to hold diplomatic relations with China's new government, invited the country to take part in the 1952 Summer Olympics. Li Fenglou would become the country's first permanent manager to lead them in the tournament, however the Chinese delegation was delayed and they missed the entire competition, nevertheless the Finland national football team would still greet Li and the Chinese team with a friendly game on 4 August 1952 making it People's Republic of China's official first game, which ended in a 4–0 defeat.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In preparation for entering their first FIFA competition, China sent a young squad to train in Hungary in 1954.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, when they entered the 1958 FIFA World Cup qualification process China were knocked out by Indonesia.<ref name="chinaresults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 7 June 1958, China stopped participating within any FIFA recognised football events when FIFA officially started to recognise the Republic of China as a different country.<ref name=360doc/> This sparked a diplomatic argument that had already seen China withdraw from the 1956 Summer Olympics for the same reasons.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For years the People's Republic of China would only play in friendlies with nations who recognized them as the sole heir to the China name.<ref name="chinaresults" /> On 25 October 1971 the United Nations would recognise the People's Republic country as the sole heir to the China name in their General Assembly Resolution 2758 act.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Due to this hearing in 1973, the Nationalist Chinese team, which had been using the name "Republic of China", would stop using that name and would eventually rename themselves as "Chinese Taipei" in 1980.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These acts would see China rejoin the international sporting community, first by becoming a member of the Asian Football Confederation in 1974 and by rejoining FIFA again in 1979.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Asian underdogs (1980–2009)

The 1974 Asian Games reintroduced the team back into international football while the 1976 AFC Asian Cup saw them came third.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:Asian Cup 1984, match Saudi Arabia and China.jpg

Chinese players in a match against Saudi Arabia at the 1984 AFC Asian Cup

In 1980, China participated in the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for a berth in the 1982 World Cup, but they lost a play-off game against New Zealand.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During the 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the 1986 World Cup, China faced Hong Kong at home in the final match of the first qualifying round on 19 May 1985 where China only needed a draw to advance. However, Hong Kong produced a 2–1 upset win which resulted in riots inside and outside the stadium in Beijing.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, China again reached the final round. They just missed out on qualifying as they conceded two goals in the final three minutes against Qatar in their final group match.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifiers – when they were led by their first-ever foreign manager, Klaus Schlapner – China failed to reach the final round of qualifying, coming second behind Iraq.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1987, the first Chinese footballers moved abroad when future national team player Xie Yuxin joined FC Zwolle (Netherlands) and ex-national teamer Gu Guangming joined SV Darmstadt 98 (Germany). In 1988, national team captain Jia Xiuquan and striker Liu Haiguang both joined FK Partizan (Yugoslavia).<ref name="Foreign">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

After failing to reach the 1998 FIFA World Cup, China appointed Serbian manager Bora Milutinović as coach of the national team, and China saw its fortune increased. The country managed to take fourth-place finish in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup where the Chinese side performed well, and only fell to heavyweights Japan and South Korea by one goal margin.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The good performance in Lebanon boosted the confidence of Chinese side, and in 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, China lost only one and drew only one, winning all the remaining games, most notably an important 1–0 win over Oman, to finally reach the 2002 FIFA World Cup, its first and only World Cup up to date.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the 2002 World Cup, China was eliminated after three matches without gaining a single point nor even scoring a goal during their participation in the tournament.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

China hosted the 2004 AFC Asian Cup, ultimately fell 1–3 to Japan in a final match. The match's outcome sparked anger among Chinese supporters, who rioted in response to bad refereeing.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> There were an estimated 250 million viewers for the match, the largest single-event sports audience in the country's history at that time.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

After winning the 2005 East Asian Football Championship following a 2–0 win against North Korea,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> they started qualification for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. During this time, the team became the subject of immense criticism and national embarrassment in the media when they had managed to score only one goal, Shao Jiayi's penalty kick during injury time, against Singapore at home and only managed a draw with Singapore in the away game. During preparations for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, the team spent the weeks leading up to the tournament on a tour of the United States. While the 4–1 loss to the United States was unexpected,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> a 1–0 loss to Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake which finished bottom of the league in the 2007 season caused serious concern.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

During the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, the team played three group matches, winning against Malaysia, drawing with Iran after leading 2–1, and losing 3–0 to Uzbekistan. After high expectations, China's performance at the tournament drew criticism online which condemned the team's members and even the association. Zhu was later replaced as manager by Vladimir Petrović after these performances.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Some commented that China's reliance on foreign managers for the past decade had been an indicator of its poor domestic manager development.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In June 2008, China failed to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, losing against Qatar and Iraq at home. After the 2008 Summer Olympics, Petrović was sacked as the manager and Yin Tiesheng was announced as the team's caretaker.

Stagnation (2010–present)

In April 2009, China appointed Gao Hongbo as the new manager, replacing Yin Tiesheng. His arrival saw China opt for a new strategy, turning towards ground passing tactics and adopting the 4–2–3–1 formation. It was noted that Chinese footballers had relied too heavily on the long ball tactic for almost a decade. Wei Di, the chief of the Chinese Football Association, stressed that, "Anytime, no matter win or loss, they must show their team spirit and courage. I hope, after one year's effort, the national team can give the public a new image."<ref name="WeiDi">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Gao was knocked out of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup's group stage. His winning percentage (65%), the highest for a Chinese manager since Nian Weisi (67.86%), did not defer the Chinese Football Association from replacing him with José Antonio Camacho in August 2011, less than a month before the qualification process for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Appointment of José Antonio Camacho

On 13 August 2011, José Antonio Camacho was appointed as the new manager of the team, signing a three-year deal for a reported annual salary of $8 million.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Wei Di, CFA chief, explained the decision as being part of a long-term plan to help the country catch up with rivals Japan and South Korea. He noted that, "Compared with their neighbours Japan and South Korea, Chinese football is lagging far behind, we need to work with a long-term view and start to catch up with a pragmatic approach. The citizens expects heavily for China to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil. They are afraid that changing the coach at the last moment may cause bad effect to the team's qualifying prospect. I can totally understand that. But we do not have any time to waste."<ref name="CAMACHO">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Yu Hongchen, the vice-president of the Chinese Football Administrative Centre, also stated, "The qualifying stage of 2014 World Cup is just a temporary task for him. Even if the task is failed, Camacho will not lose the job. When we started to find a new coach for the national team, we mainly focus on European countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. First of all, they have advanced football concepts, and secondly they have a productive youth training system, which we can learn from. We hope he can help us to find a suitable style."<ref name="CAMACHO"/>

Camacho managed the team to an 8–0 lost against Brazil in a friendly match on 10 September 2012 which would go on record as China's biggest ever international defeat. This massive loss also succumbed China to their worst ever FIFA ranking (109th).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Camacho then led China during their qualification process for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup whereby losing the first group match 2–1 to Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After a 5–1 lost against Thailand in a friendly match, Camacho was sacked a week later and with Fu Bo assigned as the caretaker. In light of continued struggles, in 2015, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping expressed the goal of having China's men's national team be the top team in Asia by 2030 and the following year China revealed its ambitious blueprint to be the best in the world by 2050.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Alain Perrin and Gao Hongbo returns

File:China PR national football team training in Tehran 01.jpg

The Chinese national team in Tehran before a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Iran

After Camacho, there was Alain Perrin, who finally led China to qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, which also included luck from the Thailand–Lebanon encounter, in which Thailand lost but salvaged an important goal by Adisak Kraisorn to help improve China's goal difference with the Lebanese.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Soon after that, Perrin led China into a series of friendlies, where some positive results against Macedonia, Kuwait, Paraguay and Thailand boosted some optimism.

In the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, Perrin's China was placed in a group with Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and North Korea. China emerged victoriously in all three games, qualified for the knockout stage for the first time since the 2004 edition.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Chinese Dragons then lost to host Australia 0–2 with Tim Cahill scoring a brace.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Despite this, China's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers immediately represented a huge problem for the Chinese side; they were held goalless by Hong Kong at home twice, and lost to Qatar. Perrin was sacked for the team's poor performance at the middle of the second round following another goalless draw to Hong Kong,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and former coach Gao Hongbo returned to the role on 3 February 2016, where he had to face a task of guiding China in at the expense of North Korea which had a better second-place ranking than China. Gao's first two matches were consecutive wins against Maldives and Qatar, and with North Korea suddenly slipping out against the Philippines, these results secured the team's passage to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and entering the final qualifying stage for the World Cup.

China continued their World Cup hunt by a 2–3 defeat to South Korea;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and a goalless draw to AFC's then highest ranked Iran at home.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, China followed that with a 0–1 loss at home to Syria and 0–2 away to Uzbekistan next month. Gao Hongbo resigned. His team had been winless in the first four matches of the final qualifying stage for the World Cup, including a home loss to Syria which was criticised by a number of fans.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Marcello Lippi's tenure

File:THA-CHN 20190120 Asian Cup 22.jpg

Chinese players after win against Thailand at 2019 AFC Asian Cup Round of 16

On 22 October 2016, Marcello Lippi was appointed manager of the team ahead for the last remaining matches.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A match saw China defeat South Korea for the first time in a FIFA-sanctioned tournament, amidst the heat of tensions over South Korea's deployment of THAAD.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, China's away loss to Iran and a 2–2 draw to Syria meant China was unable to compete with and dragged behind by Syria who managed a 2–2 draw with Iran and not to be qualified for the 2018 World Cup under Lippi's tenure, but improvements could be seen following two late wins over Uzbekistan and Qatar.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:Elkeson.jpg

Ai Kesen played his first game for the national football team of China in 2019

Lippi led the side during the final stage of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, where China won 2–1 to Kyrgyzstan and 3–0 to Philippines, before losing 2–0 to group leaders South Korea on 16 January.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> China then beat Thailand 2–1 to earn a place in the quarter-finals, where it was knocked 3–0 out by Iran; Lippi subsequently confirmed his departure from the team.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Another Italian and former Ballon d'Or winner, Fabio Cannavaro was appointed as the next China's manager in conjunction with coaching Guangzhou Evergrande but he stepped down after only two matches.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Lacking options when it came to searching for a new coach, CFA re-appointed Marcello Lippi.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> To improve the team, China had begun a series of naturalization on foreign-based players, with Nico Yennaris, an English-born Cypriot,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Tyias Browning, another English-born player, being naturalized.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Subsequently, Elkeson, a Brazilian player with no Chinese ancestry, was naturalized.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Despite the process of naturalization, the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification for China proved to be rockier than expected, the team could only beat the Maldives and Guam, before being held goalless in the Philippines and followed with a denting 1–2 away lost to Syria, and Lippi resigned as coach.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Li Tie and Li Xiaopeng's era

2002 FIFA World Cup ace Li Tie was appointed as China's head coach on 2 January 2020.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Trailing behind Syria by five points before Li took charge, China were still unable to reclaim their first place but nonetheless managed to win all of their remaining fixtures, including an important 2–0 win over the Philippines and notably a 3–1 win over Syria to guarantee them as the best second-placed team, thus reaching the third round.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In the third round, China shared Group B with Asian powerhouses Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia, alongside Oman and Vietnam. The Chinese started poorly with two losses to Australia and Japan in Doha due to the COVID-19 pandemic at home preventing the country from hosting.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After this poor start, China salvaged five points in the next four matches, including a hard-fought 3–2 win over Vietnam and two 1–1 draws to Oman and especially Australia, all occurring in Sharjah, the UAE.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, despite these improvements, Li Tie was sacked on 2 December 2021 amidst heavy criticism.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

After Li Tie's resignation, his World Cup teammate Li Xiaopeng took the head coach position with immense pressure.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> China's first game under Li Xiaopeng, however, was a 0–2 away loss to Japan in Saitama, effectively ending China's hopes of finishing in the top two and could only rely on the play-offs.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Yet, on 1 February 2022, coinciding with the traditional Lunar New Year, the Chinese stumbled to a shock 1–3 loss to Vietnam in Hanoi, officially extending China's hunt for a second World Cup appearance to 24 years.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This defeat, the first in Chinese football history to Vietnam, triggered widespread anger and criticism amongst Chinese fans.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> With their World Cup hopes lost, China grabbed a solitary point coming from a 1–1 draw with the Saudis before losing to Oman 0–2 in Muscat, finishing fifth with two more points than Vietnam.

The Yugoslav era

After poor forms in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifications, China took part in the 2022 EAFF E-1 Football Championship under interim manager Aleksandar Janković. With the leadership of Janković, China won four points, finishing third after a 1–0 win over Hong Kong, though for the first time in 12 years, China did not lose to Japan away.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Because of this result Janković was named the permanent coach of the China national team in 2023, with the aim to guide China to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 1 January 2024, China suffered a 1–2 defeat to Hong Kong in an international friendly, marking their first loss in 39 years.<ref name="scmp.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Later, for the first time ever, China could not score in three consecutive matches at the AFC Asian Cup as they fell to third with only two points and later eliminated. This result and poor performance of the side triggered outrage in China, and Aleksandar Janković would lose the job on 31 January 2024.

On 25 February 2024, Branko Ivanković succeeded Janković as China's new coach.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Under his tenure, China only managed to reach the final round of the World Cup qualification by the slimmest margin, thanks to China's superior head-to-head record against Thailand after both teams were equal on points, goals scored and goal difference.

Team image

File:Chinese national football team 2011.jpg

The national football team of China in 2011

The team is known as the "Dragon Team" (Template:Lang-zh),<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Team China" (Template:Lang-zh), the "National Team" (Template:Lang-zh) or "Guózú" (Template:Lang-zh, short for Template:Lang-zh).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Sister project China's home kit is traditionally all-red with a white or yellow trim while their away kit is traditionally an inverted version of the home kit, fully white with a red trim. During the 1996 AFC Asian Cup, China employed a third kit which was all blue with a white trim and was used against Saudi Arabia during the tournament.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref> The 2022–24 season marks the first time the team had a turquoise blue secondary kit, replace the white kit worn in previous seasons. The team has also started to use cooling vests in certain warmer climates.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After decades of having Adidas producing the team's kits, China's current kit has been produced and manufactured by Nike since 2015.

Kit supplier	Period	Contract announcement	Contract duration	Value	Notes
Template:Flagicon Adidas	1991–2014
Template:Flagicon Nike	2015–present	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	2015–2026 (11 years)	$16 million per year	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Rivalries

Japan

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Traditionally, China's greatest rival has been Japan. This rivalry was exemplified after their 3–1 defeat in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup Final on home soil.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The subsequent rioting by Chinese fans at the Workers' Stadium was said to be provoked by controversial officiating during the tournament and the heightened anti-Japanese sentiment at the time.

South Korea

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Another rivalry is with neighbour South Korea who China played 27 matches against between 1978 and 2010, without winning a single match. The media coined the term "Koreaphobia" to describe this phenomenon, but China finally registered its first win against South Korea on 10 February 2010, winning 3–0 during the 2010 East Asian Football Championship and eventually going on to win the tournament. Traced further, China met South Korea (then known as Korea) for the first time in 1949 in a friendly in British Hong Kong, where China clinched the first and only win over Korea in 61 years.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> There is also another political dimension behind the fuelling of this rivalry, mostly because of the long history of wars between the two states.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Hong Kong

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} A rivalry with Hong Kong has been created due to political tensions as well as issues during 2018 World Cup qualification. With Hong Kong fans booing the Chinese national anthem, which Hong Kong share with China, 2018 World Cup qualifier matches were also very tense with both matches resulting in 0–0 draws.

Results and fixtures

Template:See also The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2025

• ¹ : Non FIFA 'A' international match

Coaching staff

citation

CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Position	Name
Technical director	Template:Flagicon Gao Hongbo
Head coach	Template:Flagicon Branko Ivanković
Assistant coach	Template:Flagicon Mario Tokić
	Template:Flagicon Chen Tao
	Template:Flagicon Zheng Zhi
Goalkeeping coach	Template:Flagicon Igor Panadić
Conditioning coach	Template:Flagicon Guo Xiaolei
Fitness coach	Template:Flagicon Marko Stilinović
Video analysts	Template:Flagicon Zhang Bin
	Template:Flagicon Jiang Yong
Match analyst	Template:Flagicon Sui Han
Technical analyst	Template:Flagicon Farzad Habibollahi
Therapists	Template:Flagicon Jin Ri
	Template:Flagicon Jiang Wenyu
	Template:Flagicon Hang Yanrui
Equipment manager	Template:Flagicon Wang Yue
Logistics	Template:Flagicon Yang Hao
	Template:Flagicon Chen Xi
Press officers	Template:Flagicon Zheng Chao
	Template:Flagicon Che Hengzhi
Doctor	Template:Flagicon Wang Shucheng
Team coordinator	Template:Flagicon Yuan Jiayang

Coaching history

1951–present

Template:Updated<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

#	Name	Period	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Win %
1	Template:Flagicon Li Fenglou	1 July 1952 – 30 August 1952	1	0	0	1	0%
2	Template:Flagicon Ke Lun	2–26 June 1956	2	2	0	0	100%
3	Template:Flagicon Dai Linjing	1 January – 31 December 1957	4	1	1	2	25%
4	Template:Flagicon Chen Chengda	1 January 1958 – 31 December 1962	5	4	0	1	80%
5	Template:Flagicon Nian Weisi	1 January – 30 March 1963	6	2	2	2	33%
6	Template:Flagicon Chen Chengda (2nd time)	1 April – 30 November 1963	8	6	1	1	75%
7	Template:Flagicon Fang Renqiu	1–31 October 1964	1	0	0	1	0%
8	Template:Flagicon Nian Weisi (2nd time)	1 January 1965 – 31 July 1974	23	17	5	1	74%
9	Template:Flagicon Ren Bin	1 August 1974 – 31 December 1976	20	11	4	5	55%
10	Template:Flagicon Zhang Honggen	1 January – 30 September 1977	1	1	0	0	100%
11	Template:Flagicon Nian Weisi (3rd time)	1 October 1977 – 28 February 1978	6	3	1	2	50%
12	Template:Flagicon Nian Weisi (4th time)	1 May 1978 – 20 May 1980	18	11	2	5	61%
13	Template:Flagicon Su Yongshun	1 July 1980 – 11 January 1982	18	9	4	5	50%
14	Template:Flagicon Su Yongshun (2nd time)	20–25 July 1982	2	1	1	0	50%
15	Template:Flagicon Zeng Xuelin	1 January 1983 – 20 May 1985	36	21	4	11	58%
16	Template:Flagicon Nian Weisi (5th time)	1 September 1985 – 2 October 1986	18	12	3	3	67%
17	Template:Flagicon Gao Fengwen	5 December 1986 – 2 October 1990	51	26	10	15	51%
18	Template:Flagicon Xu Genbao	29 March 1991 – 1 February 1992	0	0	0	0	0%
19	Template:Flagicon Chen Xirong	1 March – 30 April 1992	5	4	0	1	80%
20	Template:Flagicon Klaus Schlappner	15 June – 16 December 1992	10	2	5	3	20%
21	Template:Flagicon Klaus Schlappner (2nd time)	25 January 1993 – 4 March 1994	16	8	2	6	50%
22	Template:Flagicon Jensen Wright	25 April 1994 – 13 November 1997	51	26	11	14	51%
23	Template:Flagicon Bobby Houghton	1 February 1998 – 10 December 1999	16	10	3	3	63%
*	Template:Flagicon Jin Zhiyang (caretaker)	2000	5	5	0	0	100.00%
24	Template:Flagicon Bora Milutinović	1 February 2000 – 31 December 2001	38	19	9	10	50%
25	Template:Flagicon Bora Milutinović (2nd time)	1 March – 14 June 2002	7	1	1	5	14%
*	Template:Flagicon Shen Xiangfu (caretaker)	2002	3	1	2	0	33%
26	Template:Flagicon Arie Haan	1 January 2003 – 18 November 2004	30	17	7	6	57%
27	Template:Flagicon Zhu Guanghu	6 March 2005 – 21 August 2007	27	9	6	33%
28	Template:Flagicon Vladimir Petrović	14 September 2007 – 22 June 2008	17	5	7	5	29%
*	Template:Flagicon Yin Tiesheng (caretaker)	2008–2009	6	2	0	4	33%
29	Template:Flagicon Gao Hongbo	4 May 2009 – 13 August 2011	37	22	11	4	59%
30	Template:Flagicon José Antonio Camacho	14 August 2011 – 21 June 2013	19	6	2	11	32%
*	Template:Flagicon Fu Bo (caretaker)	2013–2014	8	4	4	0	50%
31	Template:Flagicon Alain Perrin	1 March 2014 – 7 January 2016	26	11	10	5	42%
32	Template:Flagicon Gao Hongbo (2nd time)	3 February – 11 October 2016	7	3	1	3	43%
33	Template:Flagicon Marcello Lippi	22 October 2016 – 24 January 2019	29	10	9	10	34%
*	Template:Flagicon Fabio Cannavaro (caretaker)	2019	2	0	0	2	0%
34	Template:Flagicon Marcello Lippi (2nd time)	24 May – 14 November 2019	5	4	1	0	80%
*	Template:Flagicon Li Tie (caretaker)	2019	3	1	0	2	33%
35	Template:Flagicon Li Tie	2 January 2020 – 3 December 2021	10	5	2	3	50%
36	Template:Flagicon Li Xiaopeng	3 December 2021 – 30 March 2022	4	0	1	3	0%
*	Template:Flagicon Aleksandar Janković (caretaker)	2022	3	1	1	1	33%
37	Template:Flagicon Aleksandar Janković	24 February 2023 – 24 February 2024	15	4	4	7	27%
38	Template:Flagicon Branko Ivanković	24 February 2024 –	10	3	2	5	30%

Players

Current squad

The following 26 players were called up for the matches against Template:Fb and Template:Fb.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Wu Lei was initially selected for the squad but forced to withdraw due to injury.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Caps and goals are correct as of 25 March 2025, after the match against Template:Fb.

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the squad within the last twelve months. Template:Nat fs r start Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs break Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs break Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs break Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs break ^INJ Withdrew due to injury
^PRE Preliminary squad
^RET Retired from the national team
^SUS Serving suspension
^WD Withdrew due to non-injury related reasons
Template:Nat fs end

Player records

Template:Updated.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Players in bold are still active with China.

Most appearances

File:Li Weifeng.jpg

Li Weifeng is China's most capped player with 112 appearances.

Rank	Name	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Li Weifeng	112	14	1998–2011
2	Zhu Bo	111	2	1983–1993
3	Fan Zhiyi	110	17	1992–2002
4	Gao Lin	109	22	2005–2019
5	Zheng Zhi	108	15	2002–2019
6	Hao Haidong	106	39	1992–2004
7	Zhang Linpeng	105	6	2009–2024
8	Wu Lei	99	36	2010–present
9	Li Ming	96	6	1992–2004
10	Li Tie	93	5	1997–2007

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Hao Haidong	39	106	{{#expr:39/106 round 2}}	1992–2004
2	Wu Lei	36	99	{{#expr:36/98 round 2}}	2010–present
3	Liu Haiguang	31	77	{{#expr:31/77 round 2}}	1983–1990
4	Ma Lin	29	59	{{#expr:29/59 round 2}}	1985–1990
5	Yang Xu	28	54	{{#expr:28/54 round 2}}	2009–2019
6	Su Maozhen	27	55	{{#expr:27/55 round 2}}	1994–2002
7	Li Jinyu	25	72	{{#expr:25/72 round 2}}	1997–2008
8	Li Bing	22	74	{{#expr:22/74 round 2}}	1992–2001
	Gao Lin	22	109	{{#expr:22/109 round 2}}	2005–2019
10	Zhao Dayu	20	30	{{#expr:20/30 round 2}}	1982–1986

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} China has only appeared at one World Cup with the appearance being in the 2002 FIFA World Cup where they finished bottom of the group which included a 4–0 loss to Brazil.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Summer Olympics

Year		Result	Pos	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip
Template:Flagicon 1900 to Template:Flagicon 1928		Did not enter
Template:Flagicon 1936		First round	12	1	0	0	1	0	2
Template:Flagicon 1948			14	1	0	0	1	0	4
Template:Flagicon 1952 to Template:Flagicon 1956		Withdrew after qualifying
Template:Flagicon 1960 to Template:Flagicon 1976		Not an IOC member
Template:Flagicon 1980 to Template:Flagicon 1984		Did not qualify
Template:Flagicon 1988		First round	14	3	0	1	2	0	5
Total		3/25	-	5	0	1	4	0	11

For 1992 to 2020, see China national under-23 football team

Asian Games

Year		Result	Rank	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip
Template:Flagicon 1951		Did not enter
Template:Flags 1954		Did not enter
Template:Flagicon 1958		Did not enter
Template:Flags 1962		Did not enter
Template:Flags 1966		Did not enter
Template:Flags 1970		Did not enter
Template:Flagicon 1974		First round	10	3	1	0	2	7	4
Template:Flagicon 1978		Third place	3	7	5	0	2	16	5
Template:Flagicon 1982		Quarter-finals	7	4	2	1	1	4	3
Template:Flagicon 1986			8	4	2	1	1	10	7
Template:Flagicon 1990			6	4	2	0	2	8	4
Template:Flagicon 1994		Runners-up	2	7	5	1	1	16	8
Template:Flagicon 1998		Third place	3	8	6	0	2	24	7
Total*		7/13	-	37	23	3	11	85	38

* Including 1998 onwards (until 2010)

For 2002 to 2022, see China national under-23 football team

EAFF East Asian Cup

Year		Result	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip*	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip
Template:Flagicon 2003		Third place	3	1	0	2	3	4
Template:Flagicon 2005		Champions	3	1	2	0	5	3
Template:Flagicon 2008		Third place	3	1	0	2	5	5
Template:Flagicon 2010		Champions	3	2	1	0	5	0
Template:Flagicon 2013		Runners-up	3	1	2	0	7	6
Template:Flagicon 2015		Runners-up	3	1	1	1	3	3
Template:Flagicon 2017		Third place	3	0	2	1	4	5
Template:Flagicon 2019		Third place	3	1	0	2	3	3
Template:Flagicon 2022		Third place	3	1	1	1	1	3
Total		9/9	27	9	9	9	36	32

Head-to-head record

Since 1924

As of 25 March 2025 after match against Template:Fb.

Nations	First Played	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	Goals For	Goals Against	Goal Diff	Win PercentageTemplate:Efn	Confederation
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1984	1	1	0	0	6	0	+6	{{#expr: 1/1 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1973	1	0	1	0	1	1	0	{{#expr: 0/1 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2004	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	{{#expr: 1/1 * 100 round 2}}%	CAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2004	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	{{#expr: 0/1 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1984	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	{{#expr: 1/1 * 100 round 2}}%	CONMEBOL
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1927	17	5	3	9	23	32	−9	{{#expr: 5/17 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1986	8	4	4	0	15	8	+7	{{#expr: 4/8 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1980	5	5	0	0	15	0	+15	{{#expr: 5/5 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2015	2	2	0	0	18	0	+18	{{#expr: 2/2 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1997	1	1	0	0	3	0	+3	{{#expr: 1/1 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2009	1	1	0	0	4	1	+3	{{#expr: 1/1 * 100 round 2}}%	CAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2002	3	0	1	2	0	12	−12	{{#expr: 0/3 * 100 round 2}}%	CONMEBOL
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1975	3	3	0	0	22	1	+21	{{#expr: 3/3 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1963	5	5	0	0	21	2	+19	{{#expr: 5/5 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1986	2	2	0	0	3	0	+3	{{#expr: 2/2 * 100 round 2}}%	CONCACAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2003	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	{{#expr: 0/1 * 100 round 2}}%	CONMEBOL
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1995	4	1	1	2	4	8	−4	{{#expr: 1/4 * 100 round 2}}%	CONMEBOL
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2002	5	1	2	2	6	8	−2	{{#expr: 1/5 * 100 round 2}}%	CONCACAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2017	1	0	1	0	1	1	0	{{#expr: 0/1 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1971	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	{{#expr: 1/1 * 100 round 2}}%	CONCACAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2018	1	0	0	1	1	4	−3	{{#expr: 0/1 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1963	2	0	1	1	0	2	−2	{{#expr: 0/2 * 100 round 2}}%	CAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2008	1	0	1	0	2	2	0	{{#expr: 0/1 * 100 round 2}}%	CONCACAF
Template:FbTemplate:Efn<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1936	2	0	0	2	0	5	−5	{{#expr: 0/2 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2003	2	2	0	0	4	0	+4	{{#expr: 2/2 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1952	4	3	0	1	6	7	−1	{{#expr: 3/4 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2006	2	1	0	1	2	3	−1	{{#expr: 1/2 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2005	2	0	1	1	1	2	−1	{{#expr: 0/2 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1978	2	1	1	0	3	1	+2	{{#expr: 1/2 * 100 round 2}}%	CAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2000	3	3	0	0	33	0	+33	{{#expr: 3/3 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1972	2	1	1	0	6	3	+3	{{#expr: 1/2 * 100 round 2}}%	CAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2003	2	0	1	1	5	6	−1	{{#expr: 0/2 * 100 round 2}}%	CONCACAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2006	3	1	1	1	3	1	+2	{{#expr: 1/3 * 100 round 2}}%	CONCACAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1975	27	18	7	2	48	7	+21	{{#expr: 2/3 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2004	1	1	0	0	2	1	+1	{{#expr: 1/1 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2017	1	0	0	1	0	2	−2	{{#expr: 0/1 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1936	14	8	5	1	24	7	+17	{{#expr: 4/7 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1934	18	12	3	3	44	15	+29	{{#expr: 12/18 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1976	25	5	7	13	21	43	−22	{{#expr: 1/5 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1976	19	7	3	9	19	19	0	{{#expr: 7/19 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1986	1	0	0	1	0	2	−2	{{#expr: 0/1 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1977	3	3	0	0	5	0	+5	{{#expr: 3/3 * 100 round 2}}%	CONCACAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1925	38	12	9	17	53	55	–2	{{#expr: 12/38 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1984	12	6	5	1	25	9	+16	{{#expr: 1/2 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1997	3	2	0	1	5	2	+3	{{#expr: 2/3 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1960	21	10	6	5	28	19	+9	{{#expr: 10/21 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1978	38	2	13	23	26	56	−30	{{#expr: 1/19 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1975	18	8	5	5	24	16	+8	{{#expr: 4/9 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2009	2	2	0	0	5	1	+4	{{#expr: 2/2 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2011	2	2	0	0	13	3	+10	{{#expr: 2/2 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2010	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	{{#expr: 1/1 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1998	6	4	2	0	13	1	+12	{{#expr: 2/3 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1978	6	6	0	0	25	3	+22	{{#expr: 6/6 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1948	15	10	4	1	35	8	+27	{{#expr: 2/3 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2001	6	6	0	0	28	1	+27	{{#expr: 6/6 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1963	3	2	0	1	8	4	+4	{{#expr: 2/3 * 100 round 2}}%	CAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1987	3	0	0	3	2	7	−5	{{#expr: 0/3 * 100 round 2}}%	CONCACAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1956	11	9	0	2	35	4	+31	{{#expr: 9/11 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1972	4	4	0	0	31	2	+29	{{#expr: 5/5 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1996	2	0	0	2	0	4	−4	{{#expr: 0/2 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1975	13	3	5	5	11	12	−1	{{#expr: 3/13 * 100 round 2}}%	OFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2004	5	3	2	0	4	0	+4	{{#expr: 3/5 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1992	1	1	0	0	2	1	+1	{{#expr: 1/1 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1998	10	4	1	5	15	13	+2	{{#expr: 2/5 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1963	9	5	2	2	23	10	+13	{{#expr: 5/9 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1966	7	5	2	0	17	2	+15	{{#expr: 5/7 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1985	2	1	1	0	5	2	+3	{{#expr: 1/2 * 100 round 2}}%	OFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1996	3	1	1	1	3	4	−1	{{#expr: 1/3 * 100 round 2}}%	CONMEBOL
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1978	2	1	0	1	4	3	+1	{{#expr: 1/2 * 100 round 2}}%	CONMEBOL
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1925	13	12	1	0	50	3	+47	{{#expr: 12/13 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1984	2	0	0	2	0	2	−2	{{#expr: 0/2 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2002	1	0	0	1	0	2	−2	{{#expr: 0/1 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1978	21	9	5	7	24	17	+7	{{#expr: 3/7 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1984	2	0	0	2	0	2	−2	{{#expr: 0/2 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1959	3	1	0	2	3	5	−2	{{#expr: 1/3 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:FbTemplate:Efn<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1959	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	{{#expr: 0/1 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1978	21	6	5	10	23	29	−6	{{#expr: 6/21 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1972	2	1	1	0	5	2	+3	{{#expr: 1/2 * 100 round 2}}%	CAF
Template:FbTemplate:Efn<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1956	5	0	0	5	0	11	−11	{{#expr: 0/5 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1974	1	1	0	0	4	1	+3	{{#expr: 1/1 * 100 round 2}}%	CAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1948	18	12	4	2	38	11	+27	{{#expr: 2/3 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2002	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	{{#expr: 0/1 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1972	2	2	0	0	10	5	+5	{{#expr: 2/2 * 100 round 2}}%	CAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1972	2	2	0	0	10	7	+3	{{#expr: 2/2 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2005	2	0	0	2	0	4	−4	{{#expr: 0/2 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1980	2	2	0	0	10	0	+10	{{#expr: 2/2 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2001	3	0	1	2	2	6	−4	{{#expr: 0/3 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2006	1	0	0	1	1	4	−3	{{#expr: 0/1 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1966	15	8	2	5	29	14	+15	{{#expr: 8/15 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1997	6	4	2	0	9	1	+8	{{#expr: 2/3 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1966	3	2	1	0	15	4	+11	{{#expr: 2/3 * 100 round 2}}%	CAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1948	32	21	5	6	72	25	+47	{{#expr: 21/32 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2001	2	2	0	0	7	2	+5	{{#expr: 2/2 * 100 round 2}}%	CONCACAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1988	2	0	2	0	1	1	0	{{#expr: 0/2 * 100 round 2}}%	CAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1948	2	0	0	2	0	7	−7	{{#expr: 0/2 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1994	4	3	1	0	10	3	+7	{{#expr: 3/4 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1984	11	5	5	1	16	6	+10	{{#expr: 5/11 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1948	9	2	2	5	10	19	−9	{{#expr: 2/9 * 100 round 2}}%	CONCACAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1982	6	1	2	3	2	9	−7	{{#expr: 1/6 * 100 round 2}}%	CONMEBOL
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1994	14	5	1	8	15	21	−6	{{#expr: 5/14 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1978	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	{{#expr: 1/1 * 100 round 2}}%	CONMEBOL
Template:FbTemplate:Efn<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1960	12	11	0	1	33	11	+22	{{#expr: 11/12 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2018	1	0	0	1	0	6	−6	{{#expr: 0/1 * 100 round 2}}%	UEFA
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1966	5	3	1	1	11	1	+10	{{#expr: 3/5 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1972	1	0	1	0	3	3	0	{{#expr: 0/1 * 100 round 2}}%	CAF
Template:Fb<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1997	1	1	0	0	3	1	+2	{{#expr: 1/1 * 100 round 2}}%	CAF
Total (105)	1925	660	324	145	201	1179	734	+445	{{#expr: 324/660 * 100 round 2}}%

1913–1923

All matches before the founding of Chinese Football Association in 1924 are not counted as A-level match by FIFA:

Nations	First Played	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	Goals For	Goals Against	Goal Diff	Win PercentageTemplate:Efn	Confederation
Template:Fb	1923	6	1	1	4	9	19	−10	{{#expr: 1/6 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb	1917	3	3	0	0	14	1	+13	{{#expr: 3/3 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb	1923	1	0	1	0	1	1	0	{{#expr: 0/1 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Template:Fb	1913	10	6	2	2	15	6	+9	{{#expr: 6/10 * 100 round 2}}%	AFC
Total (4)	1913	20	10	4	6	39	27	+12	50%

Honours

Continental

• AFC Asian Cup
  • Template:Silver2 Runners-up (2): 1984, 2004
  • Template:Bronze3 Third place (2): 1976, 1992
• Asian Games¹
  • Template:Silver2 Silver medal (1): 1994
  • Template:Bronze3 Bronze medal (2): 1978, 1998

Regional

• EAFF East Asian Cup/EAFF E-1 Football Championship
  • Template:Gold1 Champions (2): 2005, 2010
  • Template:Silver2 Runners-up (2): 2013, 2015
  • Template:Bronze3 Third place (5): 2003, 2008, 2017, 2019, 2022
• Far Eastern Games
  • Template:Gold1 Gold medal (9): 1915, 1917, 1919, 1921, 1923, 1925, 1927, 1930 (shared), 1934
  • Template:Silver2 Silver medal (1): 1913

Friendly

• China Cup
  • Third place: 2017
• Dynasty Cup
  • Runners-up: 1990, 1998
• Dunhill Cup
  • Winners: 1997
  • Runners-up: 1999
• Four Nations Tournament
  • Winners: 2000-I, 2000-II
  • Third place: 2001
• King's Cup:
  • Winners: 1993
  • Runners-up: 2001
  • Third place: 1980 (shared)
• Kirin Cup
  • Third place : 1984 (shared)
• Lunar New Year Cup
  • Winners: 1978
  • Runners-up: 1989, 1990
• Merlion Cup
  • Winners: 1986
  • Third place: 1983
• Quaid-e-Azam International Cup
  • Winners: 1986
• Nehru Cup<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• • Runners-up: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986
  • Third place: 1997

Awards

• FIFA Best Mover of the Year: 2004
• AFC National Team of the Year: 2001
• AFC Asian Cup Fair Play Award: 1984, 2004

Summary

Only official senior honours are included, according to FIFA statutes (competitions organized/recognized by FIFA or an affiliated confederation).

Senior Competition	Template:Gold1	Template:Silver2	Template:Bronze3	Total
AFC Asian Cup	0	2	2	4
Total	0	2	2	4

Notes

1. Competition organized by the OCA, officially not recognized by FIFA.

See also

• Sport in China
  • Football in China
    • Women's football in China
• China national football B team
• China national under-23 football team
• China national under-20 football team
• China national under-17 football team
• China national futsal team
• China national under-20 futsal team
• China national beach soccer team
• China women's national football team
• Chinese referees in FIFA competitions

External links

• Team China on Sina Sports Template:In lang
• China PR at FIFA
• China PR on AFC
• China PR at EAFF
• Template:Cite journal
• Template:Cite journal

Template:China national football team Template:Navboxes top Template:Navboxes Template:Navboxes Template:Football in China Template:EAFF teams {{#invoke:navbox|navbox | name = AFC teams | title = National men's football teams of Asia (AFC) |listclass = hlist |above = AFC Asian Cup

|group1 = West Asia (WAFF) |list1 =

• Bahrain
• Iraq
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Oman
• Palestine
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Syria
• United Arab Emirates
• Yemen

|group2 = Central Asia (CAFA) |list2 =

• Afghanistan
• Iran
• Kyrgyzstan
• Tajikistan
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan

|group3 = South Asia (SAFF) |list3 =

• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• India
• Maldives
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka

|group4 = East Asia (EAFF) |list4 =

• China
• Chinese Taipei¹
• Guam
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• Macau
• Mongolia
• North Korea
• Northern Mariana Islands²
• South Korea

|group5 = Southeast Asia (AFF) |list5 =

• Australia
• Brunei
• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Myanmar
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Timor-Leste
• Vietnam

|group6 = Defunct |list6 =

• Malaya
• Manchukuo
• North Vietnam
• South Vietnam
• South Yemen

|group7 = Former |list7 =

• Israel (moved to UEFA in 1994)
• Kazakhstan (moved to UEFA in 2002)
• New Zealand (formed the OFC in 1966)

|belowclass = hlist |belowstyle = font-size:90%; |below =

• ¹ Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, competes as "Chinese Taipei"
• ² Not a member of FIFA

}} Template:National sports teams of China Template:Navboxes bottom Template:Portal bar