Xinhua News Agency reported from Beijing (by Yan Xuejin and Wei Hua) that FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström expressed his hope during an interview on Wednesday that young Chinese players could appear in World Cup tournaments at various age levels.
“China’s U17 women’s team just qualified for the U17 World Cup yesterday, and the U17 men’s team is about to play a crucial match,” Grafström said. “Now that the U17 World Cup is held annually, it provides great motivation for children, giving them a chance to compete in a World Cup every year. We hope China can participate, both for men’s and women’s football. We will also work closely with the Chinese Football Association to jointly promote the development of football in China. This is also the main purpose of our visit.”
Earlier in the day, the FIFA delegation visited the China National Football Youth Training Center. Grafström praised the five-tier youth training system currently being established in China as a very beneficial initiative. “China is a vast country, with national-level centers, but work also needs to be done at the regional, city, and county levels. Venue construction departments, coaches, and schools need to collaborate so that more children can start playing football at a younger age.”
The 2026 World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In addition to acknowledging the preparation efforts, Grafström expressed excitement about the expanded tournament. “This is the first World Cup with 48 teams, giving 16 more countries the chance to experience the World Cup. Everyone understands the impact a World Cup can have on a country, whether for grassroots football, professional football, or attracting more fans. Its significance is immeasurable. We are very much looking forward to this event in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The matches will be exciting, and the football atmosphere will be intense. I firmly believe it will ignite a passion for football globally, including in China.”
