Xi Jinping's 3 football wishes (2011)
In 2011, Xi Jinping famously declared three football wishes: China to qualify for, host, and win the World Cup — none of which have been achieved.
Snapshot · The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
China Decode: Hong Kong's AI Crackdown, Lululemon’s Marketing Backlash, and World Cup Fever
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Jun 23, 2026
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Referee Ma Ning: China's World Cup Hero by Proxy
At 33:43 · chapter starts 31:41
In a country that hasn't qualified for the World Cup since 2002, Chinese football fans needed something to celebrate — and they found it in referee Ma Ning [1] — Alice Han "China didn't make the World Cup, but fans found someone to cheer for: referee Ma Ning, dubbed 'the Cardman' for his strict officiating. He'…" 31:41 . Dubbed the 'Cardman' for his no-nonsense approach (he issued 9 cards in one match), Ma Ning has become a genuine celebrity, racking up 210,000 new social media followers and landing sponsorships from Lenovo and Hisense. Alice Han notes that the broadcast picture has also evolved: a last-minute deal between China Media Group and FIFA secured rights, with Xiaohongshu as the strategic streaming partner, bringing free live games to millions of Chinese users on their phones. The sports betting app ranked sixth on the Apple App Store, and the official CCTV streaming app hit second place — testament to the enormous appetite for the tournament despite the absence of a Chinese team.
Ma Ning gained 210,000 new social media followers
Chinese World Cup referee Ma Ning gained 210,000 new social media followers and secured sponsorships from Lenovo and Hisense after becoming a national celebrity.
Referee Ma Ning: China's World Cup Hero by Proxy
China didn't make the World Cup, but fans found someone to cheer for: referee Ma Ning, dubbed 'the Cardman' for his strict officiating. He's racked up sponsorships from Lenovo and Hisense and 210,000 new followers — proof of China's desperate need for a World Cup identity.
Xi Jinping's 3 Football Wishes — None Fulfilled
In 2011, Xi Jinping declared three wishes: qualify for, host, and win the World Cup. Fifteen years later, China has achieved none of them. James Kynge frames the national football failure against the backdrop of a country that out-performs every other nation at individual Olympic sports.
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