Editing China national football team (section)

=== 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.