The World Cup Is Becoming a Nightmare for Beijing

Jun 24, 2026 - 09:48

The 2026 World Cup has become far more than a football tournament for Beijing. While China remains absent from the field for the 25th consecutive year, reports emerged that state media were quietly reducing coverage of Lionel Messi. At the same time, a humiliating 0-7 loss to Japan, a battle over broadcasting rights, and the collapse of Chinese World Cup sponsorships have exposed deeper problems. From economic weakness to political insecurity and institutional decay, this World Cup is revealing realities that Beijing would rather keep hidden. Tonight, we examine why a simple game of football has become such an uncomfortable mirror for the Chinese Communist Party.