Editing China national football team (section)

==History==
===As Republic of China (1913–1949)===
[[File:Chinese olympic football team 1936.jpg|thumb|left|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>{{cite web |url=http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GamesL1.aspx?9QoyD9QEWPfemU/arvY96w== |title=Far Eastern Championship Games |publisher=ocasia.org |access-date=23 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805014731/http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GamesL1.aspx?9QoyD9QEWPfemU%2FarvY96w=%3D |archive-date=5 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He invited China ([[Republic of China (1912–1949)|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 [[National Games of China|Chinese National Games]] in 1910 should have the honour to represent the country, where it was won by [[South China Athletic Association|South China Football Club]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesc/chinahist.html |title=China 1910 |date=22 October 2009 |website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=23 August 2016 |archive-date=5 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405172628/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesc/chinahist.html |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite web |url=http://beyondnewsnet.com/20141202/12450/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601201602/http://beyondnewsnet.com/20141202/12450/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 June 2022 |title=中国人都是神中国队666给我跪下我叫叶志诚 |publisher=beyondnewsnet.com |date=2 December 2014|access-date=23 August 2016}}</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>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fareastgames15.html |title=Second Far Eastern Games 1915 (Shanghai) |date=28 January 2011 |website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=23 August 2016 |archive-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315132046/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fareastgames15.html |url-status=live }}</ref> With the games being the first and only regional football tournament for national teams outside [[United Kingdom|Britain]], China looked to establish themselves as a regional powerhouse by winning a total of nine championships.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fareastgames.html |title=Far Eastern Games |date=12 December 2011 |website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=23 August 2016 |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726161944/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fareastgames.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Chinese Football Association]] was founded in 1924 and then was first affiliated with [[FIFA]] in 1931.<ref name=FIFA1>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/associations/association=chn/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618005855/http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=chn/|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 June 2010|title=China PR|publisher=FIFA}}</ref> With these foundations in place China looked to establish themselves within the international arena and along with [[Japanese national football team|Japan]] were the first Asian sides to participate in the [[Football at the Summer Olympics]] when they competed within the [[Football at the 1936 Summer Olympics|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 men's Olympic football team|Great Britain Olympic football team]] 2–0 on 6 August 1936.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/berlin1936/matches/round=197043/match=32344/index.html |title=Olympic Football Tournament Berlin 1936 > Great Britain – China PR 2:0 (0:0) |publisher=fifa.com |access-date=23 August 2016 |archive-date=17 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917192924/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/berlin1936/matches/round=197043/match=32344/index.html |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite web |url= http://www.ocasia.org/game/GameParticular.aspx?P9tviDmwp/5FinVzEIKang== |title= OSAKA 1938 |publisher= ocasia.org |access-date= 23 August 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160805205154/http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GameParticular.aspx?P9tviDmwp%2F5FinVzEIKang=%3D |archive-date= 5 August 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref> The tournament would be officially cancelled while Japan held their own tournament called the [[1940 East Asian Games|2600th Anniversary of the Japanese Empire]], which included the Japanese puppet states [[Manchukuo]] and the collaborationist [[Wang Jingwei regime|National Reorganised Government of China]] based in occupied [[Nanjing]]. But none of the top Chinese players competed in the Japanese Empire anniversary games.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/jap2600-40.html |title= 2600th Anniversary of the Japanese Empire 1940 (Tokyo) |date= 29 November 2012 |website= [[RSSSF]] |access-date= 23 August 2016 |archive-date= 30 January 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230130104434/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/jap2600-40.html |url-status= live }}</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>{{cite web|url= https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/london1948/matches/round=197052/match=32359/index.html|title= Olympic Football Tournament London 1948 > Turkey – China PR 4:0 (1:0)|publisher= fifa.com|access-date= 23 August 2016|archive-date= 25 December 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191225000426/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/london1948/matches/round=197052/match=32359/index.html|url-status= live}}</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>{{cite book |last=Guoth |first=Nick |editor-last1= Nauright |editor-first1= John |editor-last2= Parrish |editor-first2= Charles |title= Sports around the World [4 volumes]: History, Culture, and Practice |publisher= ABC-CLIO |date=April 6, 2012 |pages=190 |chapter= Association Football, China |isbn= 978-1598843002}}</ref>

=== Early People's Republic (1950–1979) ===
The newly instated [[China|People's Republic of China]] reformed CFA before having FIFA acknowledge their 1931 membership on 14 June 1952.<ref name=360doc>{{cite news|url=https://www.163.com/sports/article/39TS1BEK00051C88.html|title=1949年-1979年中国足球国家队大事记|publisher=sports.163.com|date=19 March 2007|access-date=31 August 2016|archive-date=26 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726045939/https://www.163.com/sports/article/39TS1BEK00051C88.html|url-status=live |author1=网易 }}</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>{{Cite web|url=http://teamchina.freehostia.com/en/match.php?date=1952-08-04|title=China PR 0–4 Finland|publisher=teamchina.freehostia.com|date=31 October 2004|access-date=31 August 2016|archive-date=6 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406235747/http://teamchina.freehostia.com/en/match.php?date=1952-08-04|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/live-scores/teams/country=chn/men/matches/index.html#year1952|title=Matches|date=n.d.|publisher=FIFA|archive-date=2016-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412044811/http://www.fifa.com/live-scores/teams/country=chn/men/matches/index.html#year1952}}</ref> In preparation for entering their first FIFA competition, China sent a young squad to train in Hungary in 1954.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wildeastfootball.net/2018/03/china-sends-u20s-to-train-abroad-gets-foreign-coach-fails-to-qualify-for-world-cup/|title=China sends U20s to train abroad, gets foreign coach, fails to qualify for World Cup – Wild East Football|website=wildeastfootball.net|language=en-GB|access-date=9 June 2018|last=Ross|first=Donald|date=2018-03-26|url-status=dead|archive-date=2018-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612145116/https://wildeastfootball.net/2018/03/china-sends-u20s-to-train-abroad-gets-foreign-coach-fails-to-qualify-for-world-cup/}}</ref> However, when they entered the [[1958 FIFA World Cup qualification]] process China were knocked out by [[Indonesia national football team|Indonesia]].<ref name="chinaresults">{{cite web |title=China National Football Team Database |url=http://teamchina.freehostia.com/en/index.php?y1=1913&y2=2010 |publisher=China National Football Team Database |access-date=7 July 2010 |archive-date=30 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830141450/http://teamchina.freehostia.com/en/index.php?y1=1913&y2=2010 |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite web|url=http://en.olympic.cn/china_oly/china_olympic/2004-03-30/124550.html|title=10th–15th Olympic Summer Games: 1936–1952|publisher=en.olympic.cn|date=30 March 2004|access-date=31 August 2016|archive-date=19 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919084635/http://en.olympic.cn/china_oly/china_olympic/2004-03-30/124550.html|url-status=dead}}</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 [[United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758|General Assembly Resolution 2758 act]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Homburg |first1= Heidrun |date=2006 |title= FIFA and the "Chinese Question", 1954–1980: an exercise of statutes |url= https://www.ssoar.info/ssoar/bitstream/handle/document/5007/ssoar-hsr-2006-no_1__no_115-homburg-fifa_and_the_chinese_question.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y&lnkname=ssoar-hsr-2006-no_1__no_115-homburg-fifa_and_the_chinese_question.pdf |journal= Zeitschriftenartikel |volume=1 |issue=31 |pages=81–83 |doi= 10.12759/hsr.31.2006.1.69-72|access-date=2020-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222105013/https://www.ssoar.info/ssoar/bitstream/handle/document/5007/ssoar-hsr-2006-no_1__no_115-homburg-fifa_and_the_chinese_question.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y&lnkname=ssoar-hsr-2006-no_1__no_115-homburg-fifa_and_the_chinese_question.pdf |archive-date=2020-02-22 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.people.com.cn/GB/4992382.html|title=以足球名义纪念霍英东 为中国推开国际足联大门 (2)|publisher=sports.people.com.cn|date=2006-11-02|access-date=2020-05-23|archive-date=5 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305225413/http://sports.people.com.cn/GB/4992382.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.people.com.cn/GB/4992385.html |title=以足球名义纪念霍英东 为中国推开国际足联大门 (5) |publisher=sports.people.com.cn |date=2006-11-02 |access-date=2020-05-23 |archive-date=28 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628215608/http://sports.people.com.cn/GB/4992385.html |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctfa.com.tw/aboutus/ctfa-profile.html|title=Chinese Taipei Football Association Introduction|publisher=www.ctfa.com.tw|date=20 April 2011|access-date=31 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522073818/http://www.ctfa.com.tw/aboutus/ctfa-profile.html|archive-date=22 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</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>{{cite web|url=https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2019/12/04/tbt-04-when-israel-almost-made-history-in-oceania/|title=TBT #04 – When Israel almost made history in Oceania|publisher=Oceania Football Center|date=2019-12-04|last=Amadeu|first=Pedro|access-date=11 August 2022|archive-date=11 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811060041/https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2019/12/04/tbt-04-when-israel-almost-made-history-in-oceania/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/fifa-proposals-israel-settlements-fall-short-palestinians-161330438--sow.html|title=FIFA proposals on Israel settlements fall short: Palestinians|date=2017-04-03|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|access-date=2022-08-11|archive-date=11 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811060041/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/fifa-proposals-israel-settlements-fall-short-palestinians-161330438--sow.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Asian underdogs (1980–2009) ===
The [[Football at the 1974 Asian Games|1974 Asian Games]] reintroduced the team back into international football while the [[1976 AFC Asian Cup]] saw them came third.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/76asch.html|title=Asian Nations Cup 1976|date=19 January 2007|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=20 September 2016|archive-date=30 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530141820/http://rsssf.com/tables/76asch.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Asian Cup 1984, match Saudi Arabia and China.jpg|thumb|Chinese players in a match against Saudi Arabia at the [[1984 AFC Asian Cup]]]]
In 1980, China participated in the [[1982 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC and OFC)|1982 FIFA World Cup qualifiers]] for a berth in the [[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982 World Cup]], but they lost a play-off game against [[New Zealand men's national football team|New Zealand]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wildeastfootball.net/2017/03/ninety-minutes-from-glory-chinas-1982-world-cup-qualifying-campaign/|title=Ninety minutes from glory: China's 1982 World Cup qualifying campaign – Wild East Football|website=wildeastfootball.net|date=14 March 2017|language=en-GB|access-date=3 December 2017|archive-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204171121/https://wildeastfootball.net/2017/03/ninety-minutes-from-glory-chinas-1982-world-cup-qualifying-campaign/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the [[1986 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|1986 FIFA World Cup qualifiers]] for the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986 World Cup]], China faced [[Hong Kong national football team|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 [[1985 China v Hong Kong football match|2–1 upset]] win which resulted in riots inside and outside the stadium in Beijing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wildeastfootball.net/2017/10/5-19-incident-chinas-doomed-attempt-qualify-mexico86/|title=The 5.19 incident: China's doomed attempt to qualify for Mexico'86 – Wild East Football|website=wildeastfootball.net|date=11 October 2017|language=en-GB|access-date=3 December 2017|archive-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204172630/https://wildeastfootball.net/2017/10/5-19-incident-chinas-doomed-attempt-qualify-mexico86/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the [[1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|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 national football team|Qatar]] in their final group match.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://wildeastfootball.net/2017/12/black-three-minutes-deny-china-place-italia90/|title=The black three minutes which denied China a place at Italia'90 – Wild East Football|newspaper=Wild East Football|date=16 December 2017|language=en-GB|access-date=31 December 2017|archive-date=12 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812054625/https://wildeastfootball.net/2017/12/black-three-minutes-deny-china-place-italia90/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|1994 FIFA World Cup qualifiers]] – when they were led by their first-ever foreign manager, [[Klaus Schlappner|Klaus Schlapner]] – China failed to reach the final round of qualifying, coming second behind [[Iraq national football team|Iraq]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wildeastfootball.net/2018/01/klaus-schlappner-china-manager/|title=Klaus Schlappner: China manager – Wild East Football|website=wildeastfootball.net|date=16 January 2018|language=en-GB|access-date=9 June 2018|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143610/https://wildeastfootball.net/2018/01/klaus-schlappner-china-manager/|url-status=live}}</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">{{cite web|url=http://www.china.org.cn/english/MATERIAL/196576.htm|title=Saga over As Dong Joins Man Utd|date=18 January 2007|publisher=China.org.cn|access-date=5 April 2012|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201501/http://www.china.org.cn/english/MATERIAL/196576.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://inbedwithmaradona.com/journal/2018/2/11/a-foreign-field-jia-xiuquan-and-liu-haiguang-at-partizan|title=A FOREIGN FIELD: JIA XIUQUAN AND LIU HAIGUANG AT PARTIZAN|last=Ross|first=Donald|work=IBWM|access-date=9 June 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140922/http://inbedwithmaradona.com/journal/2018/2/11/a-foreign-field-jia-xiuquan-and-liu-haiguang-at-partizan|url-status=live}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.cctv.com/sports/teyue/view1047.html|title=再次申办亚洲杯——中国明白了|date=2000-09-10|publisher=CCTV.com|language=zh|access-date=10 November 2020|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805151901/https://www.cctv.com/sports/teyue/view1047.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The good performance in Lebanon boosted the confidence of Chinese side, and in [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|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 national football team|Oman]], to finally reach the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]], its first and only World Cup up to date.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.china.org.cn/english/shuzi-en/en-shuzi/zt/htm/zt2.htm|title=Chinese football team qualifies for 2002 World Cup Finals|date=n.d.|publisher=China.org|access-date=10 November 2020|archive-date=19 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919161301/http://www.china.org.cn/english/shuzi-en/en-shuzi/zt/htm/zt2.htm|url-status=live}}</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>{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/06/china-and-the-world-cup/|title=China and the World Cup|date=2014-06-12|last=Chi|first=Samuel|publisher=The Diplomat|access-date=10 November 2020|archive-date=10 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110165356/https://thediplomat.com/2014/06/china-and-the-world-cup/|url-status=live}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2004/SPORT/football/08/07/china.japan/|title=Chinese riot after Japan win final|date=Aug 7, 2004|publisher=CNN International|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628040534/http://edition.cnn.com/2004/SPORT/football/08/07/china.japan}}</ref> There were an estimated 250&nbsp;million viewers for the match, the largest single-event sports audience in the country's history at that time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Asian Cup final smashes viewing records|url=https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/asian-cup-final-smashes-viewing-records/|publisher=Sports Business|date=2004|access-date=2022-08-11|archive-date=11 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811060040/https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/asian-cup-final-smashes-viewing-records/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After winning the [[2005 East Asian Football Championship]] following a 2–0 win against [[Korea DPR national football team|North Korea]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eastasia05.html|title=East Asian Championship 2005|date=5 April 2007|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=26 April 2019|archive-date=8 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108140149/https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eastasia05.html|url-status=live}}</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 national football team|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 men's national soccer team|United States]] was unexpected,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://teamchina.freehostia.com/en/match.php?date=2007-06-02 |title=China National Football Team Database – China PR 1–4 USA |publisher=Teamchina.freehostia.com |date=2 June 2007 |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=10 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310083855/http://teamchina.freehostia.com/en/match.php?date=2007-06-02 |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/united-states/major-league-soccer/2007/regular-season/ |title=United States Major League Soccer|website=int.soccerway.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907033410/http://uk.soccerway.com/national/united-states/major-league-soccer/2007/regular-season/ |archive-date=7 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.betexplorer.com/soccer/usa/mls-2007/ |title=MLS 2007 : Summary |publisher=Betexplorer.com |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203053833/http://www.betexplorer.com/soccer/usa/mls-2007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, the team played three group matches, winning against [[Malaysian national football team|Malaysia]], drawing with [[Iranian national football team|Iran]] after leading 2–1, and losing 3–0 to [[Uzbekistan national football team|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>{{cite news|url=https://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-29531620070914|title=China appoints Petrovic as national coach|newspaper=Reuters|date=14 September 2007|access-date=26 April 2019|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-04-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426102159/https://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-29531620070914}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-11/20/content_393311.htm|title=Jobless Haan reflects China's football crisis|date=20 November 2004|publisher=China Dailylast|last=Xiangfeng|first=Chen|access-date=24 November 2007|archive-date=27 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227224525/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-11/20/content_393311.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2008, China failed to qualify for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]], losing against [[Qatar national football team|Qatar]] and [[Iraq national football team|Iraq]] at home. After the [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|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">{{cite web|title=New boss vows to revive China's football in 5 years |url=http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2010-02/02/content_9417417.htm |publisher=CHINAdaily |date=2 February 2010 |access-date=7 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606235528/http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2010-02/02/content_9417417.htm |archive-date=6 June 2011  }}</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>{{cite web |url=http://www.thechinatimes.com/online/2011/08/1003.html |title=Camacho To Be New Coach of China National Football Team |publisher=The China Times |date=20 November 2013 |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325172821/http://www.thechinatimes.com/online/2011/08/1003.html |archive-date=25 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</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 national football team|Japan]] and [[South Korea national football team|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">{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/14/asia/2011/08/15/2620479/jose-antonio-camachos-appointment-is-part-of-a-long-term-revival|title=Jose Antonio Camacho's appointment is part of a long-term revival plan: China Football Association head Wei Di|publisher=Goal.com|last=Somerford|first=Ben|date=15 August 2011|access-date=2 December 2013|archive-date=18 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118141157/http://www.goal.com/en/news/14/asia/2011/08/15/2620479/jose-antonio-camachos-appointment-is-part-of-a-long-term-revival|url-status=live}}</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 national football team|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>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/92232/brazil-vs-china/report |title=Match Report: Brazil 8–0 China |publisher=Goal.com |access-date=2 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-09-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912015507/http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/92232/brazil-vs-china/report}}</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 national football team|Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/international/asia/asian-cup-qualification/2015-australia/group-stage/group-c/g5564/ |title=Asian Cup Qualification |publisher=Soccerway.com |date=9 January 2013 |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=14 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214051832/http://int.soccerway.com/international/asia/asian-cup-qualification/2015-australia/group-stage/group-c/g5564/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After a 5–1 lost against [[Thailand national football team|Thailand]] in a friendly match, Camacho was sacked a week later and with [[Fu Bo (football manager)|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>{{cite news|author= <!--not stated-->|date= 1 April 2022|title= China's Du Zhaocai elected as EAFF President|url= https://english.news.cn/20220401/a77bc342fd44402db98d68d07811a4a9/c.html|work= |location= |access-date= 3 April 2023|archive-date= 26 November 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221126073728/https://english.news.cn/20220401/a77bc342fd44402db98d68d07811a4a9/c.html|url-status= live}}</ref>

====Alain Perrin and Gao Hongbo returns====
[[File:China PR national football team training in Tehran 01.jpg|thumb|The Chinese national team in Tehran before a [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|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>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-asian-cup/news/asian-cup-2015-qs-thailand-2-5-lebanon-6892|title=Asian Cup 2015 (Qs): Thailand 2–5 Lebanon|date=2014-03-05|publisher=AFC|access-date=12 November 2020|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112192451/https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-asian-cup/news/asian-cup-2015-qs-thailand-2-5-lebanon-6892|url-status=live}}</ref> Soon after that, Perrin led China into a series of friendlies, where some positive results against [[North Macedonia national football team|Macedonia]], [[Kuwait national football team|Kuwait]], [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] and Thailand boosted some optimism.

In the [[2015 AFC Asian Cup]], Perrin's China was placed in a group with Saudi Arabia, [[Uzbekistan national football team|Uzbekistan]] and [[North Korea national football team|North Korea]]. China emerged victoriously in all three games, qualified for the knockout stage for the first time since the 2004 edition.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|date=2015-01-10|title=Penalty save helps China shock Saudi Arabia at Asian Cup|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/10/south-korea-oman-match-report|access-date=2022-02-13|website=[[The Guardian]]|language=en|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215001106/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/10/south-korea-oman-match-report|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-18/china-completes-perfect-asian-cup-group-stage/6024030|title = China beats North Korea to complete perfect Asian Cup group stage|newspaper = ABC News|date = 18 January 2015|access-date = 12 November 2020|archive-date = 22 October 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201022192635/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-18/china-completes-perfect-asian-cup-group-stage/6024030|url-status = live}}</ref> The Chinese Dragons then lost to host Australia 0–2 with [[Tim Cahill]] scoring a brace.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/22/asian-cup-china-australia-match-report|title=Tim Cahill double against China sends Australia into Asian Cup semi-finals|date=2015-01-22|work=The Guardian|access-date=12 November 2020|archive-date=12 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812133923/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/22/asian-cup-china-australia-match-report|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite this, China's [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification|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 [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round|middle of the second round]] following another goalless draw to Hong Kong,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-asia-china-perrin/china-dismiss-head-coach-perrin-idUKKBN0UM0E820160108|title=China dismiss head coach Perrin|newspaper=Reuters|date=8 January 2016|access-date=26 April 2019|archive-date=6 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306015332/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-asia-china-perrin/china-dismiss-head-coach-perrin-idUKKBN0UM0E820160108|url-status=live}}</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 [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC third round|the final qualifying stage for the World Cup]].

China continued their World Cup hunt by a 2–3 defeat to South Korea;<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/south-korea-3-china-2-hosts-hang-claim-winning-start| title=South Korea 3 China 2: Hosts hang on to claim winning start| date=September 2016| publisher=FourFourTwo| access-date=23 July 2018| archive-date=23 July 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723182226/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/south-korea-3-china-2-hosts-hang-claim-winning-start| url-status=live}}</ref> and a goalless draw to AFC's then highest ranked Iran at home.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/511279/china-held-iran-world-cup-qualifier/ | title=China held by Iran in World Cup qualifier| date=6 September 2016|url-status=dead|archive-date=2018-07-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723182530/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/511279/china-held-iran-world-cup-qualifier/}}</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>{{Cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-37582501| title=Chinese fans angry over loss to Syria| work=BBC News| date=7 October 2016| access-date=21 July 2018| archive-date=11 October 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011180055/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-37582501| url-status=live}}</ref>

====Marcello Lippi's tenure====
[[File:THA-CHN 20190120 Asian Cup 22.jpg|thumb|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>{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/93282/official-lippi-new-china-coach|title=Official: Lippi new China coach|publisher=Football Italia|date=22 October 2016|access-date=22 October 2016|last=Campanale|first=Susy|archive-date=22 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022221023/http://www.football-italia.net/93282/official-lippi-new-china-coach|url-status=live}}</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 [[Terminal High Altitude Area Defense|THAAD]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://shanghaiist.com/2017/03/23/china_beats_south_korea/ | title=China beats South Korea 1–0 in 'football war' played in front of 10,000 police officers|last=Tan|first=Kenneth|date=2018-05-05|url-status=dead|archive-date=2018-07-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723182528/https://shanghaiist.com/2017/03/23/china_beats_south_korea/}}</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>{{Cite web| url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2109917/china-out-2018-world-cup-despite-winning-qatar| title=China's faint World Cup hopes vanish despite win in Qatar| date=5 September 2017| access-date=23 July 2018| archive-date=23 July 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723182411/https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2109917/china-out-2018-world-cup-despite-winning-qatar| url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Elkeson.jpg|thumb|[[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 national football team|Kyrgyzstan]] and 3–0 to [[Philippines national football team|Philippines]], before losing 2–0 to group leaders [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]] on 16 January.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://en.as.com/en/2019/01/16/football/1547641500_355620.html|title=South Korea lay down Asian Cup marker with Son to the fore|date=2019-01-24|last=Train|first=Rob|newspaper=As.com |publisher=AS|access-date=24 January 2019|archive-date=25 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125020713/https://en.as.com/en/2019/01/16/football/1547641500_355620.html|url-status=live}}</ref> China then beat [[Thailand national football team|Thailand]] 2–1 to earn a place in the quarter-finals, where it was knocked 3–0 out by [[Iran national football team|Iran]]; Lippi subsequently confirmed his departure from the team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/lippi-bows-out-as-iran-send-hapless-china-packing-from-the-asian-cup-20190125-p50tjk.html|title=Lippi bows out as Iran send hapless China packing from the Asian Cup|publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=25 January 2019|access-date=24 January 2019|archive-date=25 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125001547/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/lippi-bows-out-as-iran-send-hapless-china-packing-from-the-asian-cup-20190125-p50tjk.html|url-status=live}}</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>{{cite web|url=https://www.fotmob.com/news/1d36r6mgxm9kq1mxa068q957ul/cannavaro-quits-as-china-coach-after-two-games|title=Cannavaro quits as China coach after two matches|publisher=FotMob|date=29 April 2019|access-date=11 August 2022|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407172821/https://www.fotmob.com/news/1d36r6mgxm9kq1mxa068q957ul/cannavaro-quits-as-china-coach-after-two-games|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lacking options when it came to searching for a new coach, CFA re-appointed Marcello Lippi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecfa.cn/xhxw/20190524/27220.html|title=里皮出任中国国家男子足球队主教练|date=24 May 2019|publisher=CFA|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-date=24 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524031308/http://www.thecfa.cn/xhxw/20190524/27220.html|url-status=live}}</ref> To improve the team, China had begun a series of [[List of Chinese naturalized footballers|naturalization on foreign-based players]], with [[Nico Yennaris]], an English-born Cypriot,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/01/china-football-nico-yennaris-li-ke-marcello-lippi|title=From Nico Yennaris to Li Ke: the name change fuelling Chinese dreams|date=2019-07-01|last=Duerden|first=John|work=The Guardian|access-date=11 September 2019|archive-date=31 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731183734/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/01/china-football-nico-yennaris-li-ke-marcello-lippi|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Tyias Browning]], another English-born player, being naturalized.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/video/china-win-soccer-world-cup-093000920.html|title=Can China win the soccer World Cup with a handful of naturalised players? Probably not|last=Zuo|first=Mandy|date=2019-07-06|publisher=Yahoo!|access-date=11 August 2022|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407172820/https://www.yahoo.com/video/china-win-soccer-world-cup-093000920.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequently, [[Elkeson]], a Brazilian player with no Chinese ancestry, was naturalized.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/21/football/elkeson-china-brazil-spt-intl/index.html|title=Brazilian-born striker Elkeson set to play for China|last=Lewis|first=Aimee|date=2019-08-21|publisher=CNN Sports|access-date=11 September 2019|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607184207/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/21/football/elkeson-china-brazil-spt-intl/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the process of naturalization, the [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round|2022 FIFA World Cup qualification]] for China proved to be rockier than expected, the team could only beat the [[Maldives national football team|Maldives]] and [[Guam national football team|Guam]], before being held goalless in the [[Philippines national football team|Philippines]] and followed with a denting 1–2 away lost to [[Syria national football team|Syria]], and Lippi resigned as coach.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Church|first=Michael|date=2019-11-14|title=Lippi quits as China coach after Syria defeat|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-worldcup-china-idUKKBN1XO2HS|access-date=2020-11-08|archive-date=10 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210160512/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-worldcup-china-idUKKBN1XO2HS|url-status=live}}</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>{{cite web|url=https://chinadaily.com.cn/a/202001/02/WS5e0d96b8a310cf3e3558218a.html|title=Li Tie appointed head coach of China's national football team|date=2020-02-01|publisher=China Daily|access-date=11 August 2022|archive-date=18 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618105028/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202001/02/WS5e0d96b8a310cf3e3558218a.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Trailing behind [[Syria national football team|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 national football team|Philippines]] and notably a 3–1 win over Syria to guarantee them as the best second-placed team, thus reaching the [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC third round|third round]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-06/08/c_139994620.htm|title=China beats the Philippines in World Cup Asian qualifier|date=2021-06-08|publisher=XinhuaNet|access-date=27 July 2021|archive-date=27 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727151658/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-06/08/c_139994620.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-06/16/c_1310009774.htm|title=China beats Syria to reach final round of WC Asian Qualifiers|date=2021-06-16|publisher=XinhuaNet|access-date=27 July 2021|archive-date=27 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727151659/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-06/16/c_1310009774.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the third round, China shared Group B with Asian powerhouses Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia, alongside Oman and [[Vietnam national football team|Vietnam]]. The Chinese started poorly with two losses to Australia and Japan in [[Doha]] due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in China|COVID-19 pandemic at home]] preventing the country from hosting.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-03/socceroos-vs-china-live-updates-world-cup-qualifier/100419322|title=Socceroos comfortably beat China 3–0 in World Cup qualifier|newspaper=ABC News|date=2 September 2021|last=Smale|first=Simon|access-date=15 February 2022|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215175935/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-03/socceroos-vs-china-live-updates-world-cup-qualifier/100419322|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/09/3c2546b79565-soccer-japan-defeat-china-for-1st-win-in-world-cup-final-qualifiers.html|title=Football: Japan defeat China for 1st win in World Cup final qualifiers|publisher=Kyodo News|date=2021-09-08|access-date=15 February 2022|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215175933/https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/09/3c2546b79565-soccer-japan-defeat-china-for-1st-win-in-world-cup-final-qualifiers.html|url-status=live}}</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>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3155804/chinese-coach-li-tie-disappointed-after-1-1-draw-oman-all-ends-world|title=Chinese coach Li Tie left disappointed as World Cup hopes hang by thread|date=12 November 2021|author=Chan Kin-wa|publisher=South China Morning Post|access-date=15 February 2022|archive-date=16 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216043007/https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3155804/chinese-coach-li-tie-disappointed-after-1-1-draw-oman-all-ends-world|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/nov/16/australia-pegged-back-in-china-as-world-cup-qualifying-battle-intensifies-socceroos|title=Australia pegged back by China as World Cup qualifying battle intensifies|website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|date=16 November 2021|access-date=15 February 2022|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215175933/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/nov/16/australia-pegged-back-in-china-as-world-cup-qualifying-battle-intensifies-socceroos|url-status=live}}</ref> However, despite these improvements, Li Tie was sacked on 2 December 2021 amidst heavy criticism.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/former-everton-star-li-tie-quits-china-coach-2356186|title=Former Everton star Li Tie quits as China coach|newspaper=CNA|access-date=15 February 2022|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215175934/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/former-everton-star-li-tie-quits-china-coach-2356186|url-status=live}}</ref>

After Li Tie's resignation, his World Cup teammate [[Li Xiaopeng (footballer)|Li Xiaopeng]] took the head coach position with immense pressure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3158518/li-xiaopeng-facing-host-problems-china-coach-domestic-upheaval-just-one|title=New man Li Xiaopeng facing host of problems as China coach|date=5 December 2021|publisher=South China Morning Post|access-date=15 February 2022|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215175944/https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3158518/li-xiaopeng-facing-host-problems-china-coach-domestic-upheaval-just-one|url-status=live}}</ref> China's first game under Li Xiaopeng, however, was a 0–2 away loss to Japan in [[Saitama (city)|Saitama]], effectively ending China's hopes of finishing in the top two and could only rely on the play-offs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3164985/2022-world-cup-china-slip-another-defeat-japan-ease-victory-saitama|title=China's World Cup qualifying dreams all but over after Japan defeat|date=27 January 2022|last=Ball|first=Josh|publisher=South China Morning Post|access-date=15 February 2022|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215175935/https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3164985/2022-world-cup-china-slip-another-defeat-japan-ease-victory-saitama|url-status=live}}</ref> Yet, on 1 February 2022, coinciding with the traditional [[Lunar New Year]], the Chinese stumbled to a [[Vietnam vs China (2022 FIFA World Cup qualification)|shock 1–3]] loss to Vietnam in [[Hanoi]], officially extending China's hunt for a second World Cup appearance to 24 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/20220202/cd010c273dcb4c6f992f9670cee80283/c.html|title=China's World Cup hopes crushed by loss to Vietnam-Xinhua|date=2022-02-02|publisher=XinhuaNet|access-date=15 February 2022|archive-date=4 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204030323/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/20220202/cd010c273dcb4c6f992f9670cee80283/c.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This defeat, the first in Chinese football history to Vietnam, triggered widespread anger and criticism amongst Chinese fans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3165526/chinas-slim-fifa-world-cup-2022-qualification-hopes-end-emphatic|title=Angry netizens blast China's 'embarrassing' and 'humiliating' defeat by Vietnam, with FIFA World Cup 2022 hopes over|date=2022-02-01|last=Atkin|first=Nicholas|publisher=South China Morning Post|access-date=15 February 2022|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215180558/https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3165526/chinas-slim-fifa-world-cup-2022-qualification-hopes-end-emphatic|url-status=live}}</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 qualification (AFC)|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 national football team|Hong Kong]], though for the first time in 12 years, China did not lose to Japan away.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://en.people.cn/n3/2022/0725/c90000-10126791.html | title=China draws with Japan in East Asian Football Championship - People's Daily Online | access-date=5 December 2022 | archive-date=30 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930200214/http://en.people.cn/n3/2022/0725/c90000-10126791.html | url-status=live }}</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>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-02 |title='No time to waste' as China's new men's football coach targets 2026 World Cup |url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3212044/chinas-new-mens-football-coach-aleksandar-jankovic-targets-2026-world-cup-no-time-waste |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</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">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-02 |title=Andersen hails Hong Kong's 'aggression' in historic win over China |url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3246926/hong-kongs-footballers-beat-china-first-time-29-years |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</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>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-24 |title=Chinese turn to Ivankovic after Jankovic contract terminated |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/chinese-turn-ivankovic-after-jankovic-contract-terminated-2024-02-24/ |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> Under his tenure, China only managed to reach the [[2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC third round|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.