China Sets Sights on eSports Football Glory with New Team

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has announced a new initiative aimed at harnessing the growing popularity of football eSports. This summer, players like Zhao Yitang have begun to realize their dreams of competing on behalf of China, not on traditional pitches, but through digital platforms. The nation’s ambition comes after decades of challenges in achieving success in actual football, with the men’s national team currently ranked 93rd in the FIFA standings and failing to qualify for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

Zhao, a recent graduate, has made headlines by reaching the final of this year’s eFootball championship in Tokyo, finishing in second place. It marked a significant achievement, as it was China’s best result in the game, which was formerly known as Pro Evolution Soccer. The CFA is now poised to form a national eSports football team, sparking excitement among aspiring players like Zhao. “If I could join the national team, I would go all-out in my efforts for the side,” he stated in an interview.

Challenges and Opportunities in eSports

While football eSports continues to grow, it faces significant hurdles. Despite the immense popularity of football in China, the sport has been marred by issues of match-fixing and corruption. President Xi Jinping has expressed ambitions for China to host and win a World Cup, yet the men’s team struggles to find a foothold on the international stage.

Football eSports offers a new avenue for success. China boasts one of the world’s largest gaming markets, and its players excel in various eSports genres. Yet, pursuing a career in football video games is less lucrative compared to more established titles like League of Legends or Dota 2. Former professional eSports football player, who requested to remain anonymous, highlighted the financial challenges, stating, “The prize money is too little. It’s difficult to make a living playing professionally, full-time.” Winning every tournament might yield only about 70,000 RMB (approximately $9,800) annually, with no regular salaries available for players.

Manager Pan Shuyin of the eSports division at Changchun Yatai, one of the few clubs consistently investing in eSports, echoed this sentiment. “Probably only ten people in all of China can make a living out of playing football eSports,” he noted, as many clubs have either disbanded their eSports teams or are hesitant to invest due to perceived financial risks.

Investing in the Future of Football eSports

Changchun Yatai is striving to differentiate itself in the competitive landscape. Pan stated, “We are the only football club in the whole Chinese Super League, maybe even the only football club in China, continuously investing in eSports.” The club aims to attract younger fans through this innovative approach, recognizing the potential of eSports to engage a new generation of supporters.

While Chinese teams have participated in international football eSports tournaments in the past, they will not be represented at the upcoming FIFAe World Cup in December in Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, the global eSports scene is evolving, with football games becoming a staple in competitive events. For instance, the ePremier League began in 2018, and football eSports was featured as an official medal event at the recent 2023 Asian Games.

Zhao, who goes by the nickname “Ding” or “Teacher Ding” within the eSports community, discovered football video games in 2018 as a way to relax between his studies and football training. He believes that a deep understanding of real-life football enhances success in eSports: “If you watch a lot of real-life football matches, or play a lot of real-life football, you will have your own understanding of how to succeed in eSports.”

As the CFA embarks on this new journey to establish a national eSports football team, hopes are high that the digital realm may finally grant China the football glory it has long sought.