China Aims for eSports Glory with New National Football Team

China is setting its sights on achieving football glory—not on the traditional pitch, but in the realm of eSports. The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has announced plans to establish a national eSports football team, signaling a new direction for a country that has struggled to find success in real-life football for decades.

Zhao Yitang, a passionate gamer and recent graduate, embodies this new wave of ambition. This summer, he competed in the “eFootball” championship in Tokyo, securing a commendable second place. This achievement marks China’s best international result in the game, previously known as Pro Evolution Soccer, which remains a leading title in the football eSports genre alongside “EA Sports FC Online.” Zhao expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “If I could join the national team I would go all-out in my efforts for the side.”

Challenges Facing Traditional Football

While football has a massive following in China, the sport has faced significant challenges, including match-fixing scandals and corruption. President Xi Jinping has publicly expressed aspirations for China to host and win the World Cup, but the men’s national team currently ranks 93rd in FIFA standings and has failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. As traditional football struggles, eSports offers a potential avenue for national pride and achievement.

Despite being one of the world’s largest gaming markets, the financial prospects for eSports football players remain limited. Top players in this sector can expect to earn around 70,000 RMB (approximately $9,800) annually before taxes, with few opportunities for regular salaries. In contrast, players in more established eSports titles such as “League of Legends” and “Dota 2” can earn seven-figure salaries and lucrative sponsorship deals.

Former professional eSports football player, who prefers to remain anonymous, pointed out the challenges faced by players in this niche. “The prize money is too little. It’s difficult to make a living playing professionally, full-time,” he noted.

Investing in eSports

Despite the financial hurdles, some football clubs are dedicated to investing in eSports. Changchun Yatai, a team in the Chinese Super League, aims to attract younger fans by continually developing its eSports division. Pan Shuyin, the manager of the eSports division at Changchun Yatai, shared insights into the club’s commitment. “We are the only football club in the whole Chinese Super League, maybe even the only football club in China, continuously investing in eSports,” Pan stated.

Other clubs have either disbanded their eSports teams or are hesitant to establish them, viewing them as financial risks. Pan explained that the barrier to entry in football eSports is higher compared to other games, as it requires a deeper understanding of real-life football tactics and strategies.

As eSports football gains traction globally, events like the FIFAe World Cup are becoming more prominent. Notably, China is not among the participants for the upcoming FIFAe World Cup, set to take place in December 2024 in Saudi Arabia.

Zhao, who is affectionately known as “Ding” or “Teacher Ding” within the eSports community, discovered football video games as a way to unwind between classes and training sessions in 2018. He remarked, “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 prepares to launch its national eSports team, the future of football in China, both on and off the virtual pitch, remains to be seen. The potential for eSports to deliver national pride is significant, but whether it can overcome the financial challenges and cultural barriers still poses questions for the future of Chinese football.