Shut out of the World Cup again, China roots for the referee
4 sources·4h ago·mainstream

Shut out of World Cup again, Chinese fans root for a referee and Messi

NBC News — World—With China's national team absent from the 2026 World Cup for the second consecutive tournament, Chinese soccer fans have adopted unconventional outlets for their tournament passion: a Chinese-born referee working the matches and global superstar Lionel Messi. The Washington Post reported on the phenomenon of Chinese fans rallying around the referee as a proxy for national participation, a bittersweet reflection of China's continued failure to qualify despite years of investment in the sport. The contrast with China's massive soccer ambitions and its inability to compete on the global stage has become a recurring embarrassment for the government's sports program. Former Kennedy family member RFK Jr. and a companion were also spotted cheering on the US at World Cup events.