The China national football team have been perennial contenders for the Asian Cup, most recently finishing second in 2004. The side failed to score a goal in their maiden World Cup appearance in Korea/Japan 2002.

As football is widely followed in the People's Republic of China, any triumph by the national team is considered to be a source of national pride. Around 300 million people tuned in to broadcasts of China's World Cup 2002 matches, and there were possibly even more viewers for the Asian Cup 2004 finals.

World Cup record

• 1930 to 1954 - Did not enter
• 1958 - Did not qualify
• 1962 to 1978 - Did not enter
• 1982 to 1998 - Did not qualify
• 2002 - Round 1
• 2006 - Did not qualify

Asian Cup record

• 1956 to 1972 - Did not enter
• 1976 - Third place
• 1980 - Round 1
• 1984 - Second place
• 1988 - Fourth place
• 1992 - Third place
• 1996 - Quarterfinals
• 2000 - Fourth place
• 2004 - Second place

Current Squad

Goalkeepers

1 Liu Yunfei 23 Li Jian

Defenders

3 Sun Xiang 4 Zhang Yaokun 5 Zheng Zhi 8 Zheng Bin 12 Wei Xin 13 Xu Yunlong 14 Li Weifeng 16 Ji Mingyi 19 Zhang Shuo 21 Li Ming 27 Zhou Ting

Midfielders

6 Shao Jiayi 7 Sun Jihai 15 Zhao Junzhe 18 Li Xiaopeng 22 Yan Song 25 Zhou Haibin

Strikers

9 Hao Haidong 11 Li Yi 29 Li Jinyu