Q&A

Q: When will the 2021 season kick off?

A: We are making full preparations for the new season, which will start on April 20 after the women's national team's Olympic qualifier. This year we will have 30 rounds of matches. Due to the pandemic, we shortened the schedule last season. We used a tournament-style format for the second phase of the 2020 season, which saw one team (Tianjin Jinmen Tiger) that won just one match in the second phase avoid relegation.

Q: Will China's professional leagues be expanded?

A: According to our original pan, we aim to expand the Chinese Super League to 18 teams, the second-tier China League One to 20 teams and the third-tier to 32 teams for the 2023 season. We hope to make some preparations for the expansion this season. We have limited professional leagues, so many domestic players are unable to compete in the pro ranks. From a marketing perspective, expanding the CSL from 16 to 18 teams will boost the domestic soccer market.

Q: Will next season be opened to spectators?

A: China has controlled the pandemic, so we hope to reopen games to our fans, in both of the two host cities, Suzhou and Guangzhou. But that will be based on the local epidemic prevention policies. And the CFA is encouraging players, coaches and our staff to be vaccinated before the season starts.

Q: Where will the national team play its remaining 2022 World Cup Asian qualifiers?

A: The CFA had communicated with the Asian Football Confederation to ensure Team China could play its remaining World Cup qualifiers in China. And the General Administration of Sport of China has given us great help to enable us to invite four other teams to play in our country. Thanks to our country's great job of fighting the pandemic, it's very safe to play in China. Playing here will be a good choice.

Q: What do you think of the criticism of Chinese soccer?

A: Chinese soccer has faced criticism for years as there is still a big gap between us and the world's soccer powerhouses. As long as we are making good progress, we will have positive feedback from our fans. We have to try our best in our work. I've worked in the CFA for two years, and I worked in companies for 46 years. Before I worked here, I sometimes criticized Chinese soccer. But now as the CFA president I feel the pressure and expectations. We need to keep going forward and honor our responsibility to continuously improve and develop Chinese soccer.