Chinese football president criticizes national team's downfall

By Trung Thu June 13, 2025 | 03:02 pm PT

Chinese Football Association (CFA) president Song Kai has openly acknowledged the decline of the country's football scene, saying the national team have fallen far behind their Asian rivals.

Chinese fans at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium for the match between Indonesia and China in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on June 5, 2025. Photo by AFP

"We really haven't done well at the national team level," Song said. "In the past, we were considered one of the best in Asia, but now we are only third or fourth-rate, and we can't even compare with Australia and Japan."

His comments were recorded following China's 0-7 defeat to Japan in the opening match of Group C in the third round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers last September.

However, the interview was only aired on June 11 as part of the debut episode titled "Disparity" in CCTV's new documentary series "Dialogue with Chinese Football", according to the South China Morning Post.

Reflecting on the domestic football system, Song criticized the lack of direction and learning.

"Is this football? This is not football. In the past 20 years, Japanese football has focused on elite youth training. Chinese football doesn't use the right methods, we don't work hard, we are not humble, and we don't learn."

China have fallen sharply in international football rankings. From a peak of 51st during their 2002 World Cup appearance, the national team are now 94th. In the most recent qualifying campaign, China won three and lost seven matches, including a pivotal 0-1 loss to Indonesia, the lowest-ranked team in the round, officially ending their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.

The documentary aired just one day after China's 1-0 home win against Bahrain in a fixture that does not have much meaning, with both teams already eliminated. The only goal came from 18-year-old Wang Yudong in stoppage time.

Song has pledged to focus on rebuilding Chinese football through youth development. The CFA is still recovering from a major corruption scandal under former president Chen Xuyuan, who was sentenced to life in prison for bribery. Former national coach Li Tie was also jailed for 20 years. A two-year investigation led to lifetime bans for 38 players and five club officials.