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Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Chinese Football Association (CFA)
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) was founded in 1924 and is the main governing body for soccer in China. The group officially affiliated itself with Fifa in 1931 and joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 1974. The CFA runs the national men's, women's and youth teams for soccer, beach soccer and futsal. The CFA is governed by the Chinese State General Administration of Sports. In 2012, two former CFA chiefs, a former national team captain, the country's top referee, and at least four former national team players were convicted for taking bribes and sentenced to time in prison in a crackdown against corruption in the sport.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Chinese football fans celebrate their team’s win against Indonesia at the 2026 Fifa World Cup Asian qualification match in Qingdao, China, on October 15. Photo: AFP
China’s Communist Party

Why China’s football goal is still a long shot despite renewed focus on the sport

Beijing kicks off new push to promote sport beloved by Xi Jinping. But will corruption and money troubles block China’s football ambitions?

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Corruption in China

Chinese football corrupt to the core, and recent crackdown not the end: observers

Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

China jails 2 more former top football officials for bribery amid crackdown

Fifa

Forward undergoing China naturalisation process, amid injury crisis in attack

Oscar Maritu is also expected to join former Hong Kong boss Jorn Andersen’s maiden Chinese Super League venture at Yunnan Yukun.

Oscar Maritu (centre) could add some much-needed firepower to China’s frontline as he undergoes the naturalisation process. Photo: Xinhua
Corruption in Asia

Fifa rejects CFA life ban on South Korea’s Son, club boss calls China ‘unstable’

Son Jun-ho was detained in China for 10 months ‘on suspicion of accepting bribes’ and was one of 43 people banned.

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

‘Most beautiful’: hundreds brave rain to buy popular Hong Kong football jersey

City team’s recent ‘purple patch’ of good form and a design considered the best have seen the jersey acquire a cult status among diehard fans.

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Weibo

China fans pray for minor loss at worst in World Cup 2026 qualifier against Japan

Despite coming off back of two wins, China go in as underdogs against the Asian giants, especially as they will be without three key players.

Chinese supporters at their team’s previous match, the 1-0 away win over Bahrain last week. Photo: Xinhua
Fifa World Cup 2026

China’s fragile 2026 World Cup hopes face ultimate test in Japan rematch

Branko Ivankovic’s side have rekindled hopes of qualifying after back-to-back wins over Indonesia and Bahrain.

South Korean FA head sparks firestorm with comments on state of Chinese football

Korea Football Association president Chung Mong-gyu says illegal gambling is among the reasons, but netizens question his right to comment.

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Fifa World Cup 2026

China aiming to revive Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign against Indonesia

Branko Ivankovic’s team must end their losing streak to stand a chance of reaching next round of qualifying.

Agony for China goalkeeper Wang Dalei and his defenders during their defeat by Saudi Arabia in Dalian last month. Photo: Xinhua
Corruption in China

Player lifts lid on match-fixing in Chinese football: ‘there was no escaping it’

Player, who is in his mid-30s, lifts lid on corruption and says clubs in China second tier would deliberately lose on weekly basis.

A footballer has told the Post about how match-fixing worked in China during his time there. Photo: Shutterstock Images

South Korea’s Son agrees to terminate contract with club after China ban

Chinese Football Association has referred the case to Fifa, which is expected to review it for possible disciplinary action.

Corruption in China

South Korea’s Son denies match-fixing, accuses China police of threats, blackmail

Tearful South Korea footballer says charges he faced were ‘ridiculous’, claims police threatened wife and children.

Corruption in China

Striker Ewolo proclaims innocence in China match-fixing, says police cleared him

Donovan Ewolo was handed a five-year ban from Chinese football in relation to his time with China League One side Heilongjiang Ice City.

Zhejiang Professional’s Donovan Ewolo (right) battles for the ball with a Guangzhou player during a Chinese Super League fixture in 2022 Photo: Xinhua
Fifa World Cup 2026

China coach Ivankovic won’t quit, boosted by improved performance in Saudi loss

Branko Ivankovic says he saw signs for optimism in 2-1 defeat at home in World Cup qualifier.

China’s players sing the national anthem before their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia. Photo: AFP
While you were sleeping

While you were sleeping: China fans have ‘no hope’, Raygun ranked world No 1

Defeat at home to Saudi Arabia sparks expected backlash on social media, Harry Kane hits 100 milestone, Pochettino is new US boss.

Fifa World Cup 2026

Kadesh header consigns China to World Cup qualifying defeat against Saudi Arabia

Hassan Kadesh scores twice from corners to seal 2-1 win as China slip to another defeat.

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Corruption in China

South Korea’s Son among 43 handed life ban in China football corruption crackdown

Son Jun-ho and former Chinese internationals Jin Jingdao, Guo Tianyu and Gu Chao among the 43, while 34 others have been given jail sentences.

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South Korea’s Son Jun-ho has been handed a life ban by Chinese football authorities. Photo: AP
Trending in China

Blame it on the rain: China fans set for expected World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia

After a 7-0 defeat to Japan, a hashtag saying Tuesday’s match could be played in the rain has been trending on Weibo, with fans on the defensive.

Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

Chinese football corruption crackdown nets 2 more top officials

Football has taken centre stage as high-profile sports officials are investigated and sentenced over bribery and match-fixing scandals.

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Paris 2024 Olympic Games

China’s centralised sports system spurs debate after Paris Olympics

Gold showing by tennis star Zheng Qinwen renews debate over the state’s role in sports that has endured for decades, cranking out medals but quelling marketisation.

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China’s Zheng Qinwen kisses her gold medal. Photo: Reuters

Video | What’s wrong with professional football in China?

China’s professional football scene has been mired in scandal and stories of poor performance.

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China’s professional football scene has been mired in scandal and stories of poor performance. Photo: SCMP Composite
Fifa World Cup 2026

Underdogs China will not be bullied by World Cup rivals, vows coach

China face uphill battle to get through next qualifying stage, but head coach Branko Ivankovic says side ‘has quality’ to compete with best.

Fifa World Cup 2026

Analyst Zhan urges China to use Georgia as role model in Asian ‘Group of Death’

While Chinese fans say the team should ‘know their place’, the veteran football analyst says China should take hope from the Euro 2024 outsiders and devise similar tactics.

Croatia

How China can reach 2026 Fifa World Cup, according to football commentator Zhan

The national team scraped into the next round of Asian qualifying after Singapore did them a favour, but Zhan sees cause for optimism.

China players thank spectators after their narrow defeat by South Korea in Seoul last week. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese club Yunnan Yukun unveil former Hong Kong boss Andersen as head coach

The Norwegian has been in China for a fortnight but will be in the dugout for the first time only on Saturday, when the league leaders travel to face Dalian Yingbo.

Yunnan Yukun welcomed Andersen on their official Weibo, and in an official statement lauded the Norwegian’s extensive coaching experience across Europe and Asia. Photo: Handout
Fifa World Cup 2026

China social media lauds Singapore’s Thai heroics, holiday searches to island soar

Thailand’s failure to beat Singapore by three goals allowed China to sneak through to next round of the 2026 qualifiers on head-to-head results despite losing 1-0 to South Korea.

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Jorn Andersen watches his new Chinese League One club after quitting Hong Kong

Norwegian is not in dugout but is seen watching from the stands as new club face Shijiazhuang Gongfu.

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