World Cup

Iran’s World Cup Protest Elicits Admiration on Weibo, WeChat

In apparent solidarity with the anti-regime protests currently gripping Iran, the Iranian men’s national soccer team refused to sing the national anthem before their opening match in the 2022 World Cup, which is being hosted by...

COVID Concerns Prompt China to Abandon Role as AFC Cup Host

On Saturday, China officially withdrew from its role as the host of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup. The quadrennial event, which brings together 24 national soccer teams from across Asia, was originally...

Soccer Dreams of Tibetan Exiles

Tibetan exiles share the hardships and struggles they have encountered to establish a “national soccer team” without a recognized “nation”. From Radhika Oberoi at The New York Times: The Tibetan national...

Censorship Vault: Beijing Internet Instructions Series (21)

In partnership with the China Copyright and Media blog, CDT is adding the “Beijing Internet Instructions” series to the Censorship Vault. These directives were originally published on Canyu.org (Participate) and date from 2005...

Why China Isn’t At The World Cup

The Forbes blog looks at – and debunks – several possible explanations for the failure of China’s soccer team to make it to the World Cup: Forbes has written about why Chinese soccer teams stink. Still, why...

Australia and China tie 0-0 at Asian World Cup Qualifier

From Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Despite two and a half months spent training at the high altitude qualifying venue in Kunming, China, the Chinese men’s football team was unable to secure a victory against...

China Players Make Million-dollar World Cup Pledge – AFP

From AFP: After being offered more than one million dollars as a reward, China’s national football team players have vowed to play for their lives and qualify for the 2010 World Cup, state press said Wednesday. In a New Year’s pledge, the national side gathered to read an oath to the country, vowing to take […]

The Politics of Sports: Watching the World Cup in Beijing – Daniel A. Bell

From A Glimpse of the World: China did not qualify for the 2006 World Cup, yet there was almost fanatical enthusiasm for the games in Beijing. Because the matches were played in the middle of the night, many Beijingers slept during the day. This gave a brief respite from Beijing’s notorious traffic jams, and the […]

China cracks online betting ring – Reuters

From Reuters: Police in China’s southwestern province of Sichuan have brought down a 1 billion yuan (68 million pounds) soccer gambling ring, a Chinese newspaper reported on Wednesday, as World Cup betting reaches fever pitch. Gambling has been illegal in mainland China since the Communists took power in 1949, but the country’s absence from the […]

Crazy CCTV football commentator; Fictional foreign news? – Jeremy Goldkorn

From Danwei: During last night’s live broadcast of the Italy – Australia football World Cup game, CCTV’s announcer Huang Jianxiang (ȪÑÂÅ•Áøî) got rather excited, and took sides with the Italians, saying things like “Don’t give the Australians any chances!” and after Italy won, “Long live Italy!” Today Chinese blogs are castigating Huang, accusing him of […]

Chinese World Cup blogger racks up 10 million hits – Nick Mulvenney

From Reuters: Beijing blogger and podcaster Dong Lu registered his 10 millionth hit on Friday morning, racing to the landmark on the back of China’s obsession with the World Cup. The 36-year-old’s irreverent take on soccer’s showpiece, produced with the help of three friends in the living room of his apartment on the northeast outskirts […]

Police not allowed to bet on World Cup – Shanghai Daily

From Shanghai Daily via China Net: Shanghai police yesterday warned local entertainment or catering businesses against any gambling practices related to the World Cup. Police said they would continue their efforts to stop online soccer gambling schemes or small gambling parties at local pubs or teahouses. In China, gamblers can be detained up to 15 […]

Loading

CDT EBOOKS

Subscribe to CDT

SUPPORT CDT

Browsers Unbounded by Lantern

Now, you can combat internet censorship in a new way: by toggling the switch below while browsing China Digital Times, you can provide a secure "bridge" for people who want to freely access information. This open-source project is powered by Lantern, know more about this project.

Google Ads 1

Giving Assistant

Google Ads 2

Anti-censorship Tools

Life Without Walls

Click on the image to download Firefly for circumvention

Open popup
X

Welcome back!

CDT is a non-profit media site, and we need your support. Your contribution will help us provide more translations, breaking news, and other content you love.