Zhao Yitang fulfilled his dream of representing China in football this summer, albeit in a digital form on a smartphone rather than on a physical pitch. With the rising popularity of football eSports globally, China is striving for success in the virtual realm, aiming to overcome its historical challenges in traditional football.
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has unveiled its intentions to establish a national eSports football team, sparking optimism among gamers like Zhao. The 21-year-old recent graduate impressed by securing second place in this year’s “eFootball” championship in Tokyo, marking China’s best performance in the game previously known as Pro Evolution Soccer, a leading title in football eSports alongside “EA Sports FC Online.”
The CFA plans for its team to participate in eSports competitions organized by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation, signaling a new direction for Chinese football. Despite football’s immense popularity in China, the sport has grappled with issues such as match-fixing and corruption over the years. President Xi Jinping has expressed ambitions for China to host and potentially triumph in the FIFA World Cup, yet the men’s national team currently ranks 93rd in FIFA’s standings and missed out on qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
In the realm of eSports, Chinese players excel in various games, but the pursuit of glory in football video games is less financially rewarding compared to other eSports genres like “League of Legends” and “Dota 2.” While top players in established eSports titles can command significant salaries and sponsorships, professional opportunities in virtual football are still in nascent stages.
Changchun Yatai, a Chinese Super League club, stands out by maintaining its investment in eSports, unlike other clubs in the league. The club’s eSports division manager, Pan Shuyin, believes that engaging in eSports can attract a younger fan base and enhance the club’s profile. However, the commercial viability of football eSports in China faces challenges due to the perceived higher skill requirement and lower exposure compared to other eSports categories.
Despite the strides made by Chinese teams in global football eSports tournaments, the country is notably absent from the upcoming FIFAe World Cup, an “eFootball” competition scheduled for December in Saudi Arabia. Internationally, football eSports has gained prominence, evident through events like the ePremier League and its inclusion in the Asian Games as an official medal event in 2023.
Zhao, known as “Ding” or “Teacher Ding” within the eSports football community, discovered football video games in 2018 as a means of relaxation between academic classes and football practices. His insights highlight the correlation between real-life football experiences and success in eSports, emphasizing the importance of understanding the sport to excel in virtual competitions.