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China Missing from FIFA 2026 Pitch but Dominates Stadium Infrastructure
Despite failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, China has become an 'invisible' home team through widespread technological and product presence, from electric buses to POP MART's Labubu mascots.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off last Thursday with 48 teams, but for the eighth consecutive time, China's national team is absent. Yet Chinese influence pervades the tournament off the pitch, turning the country into a ubiquitous backdrop.
A viral Douyin clip from June 11 captured a Chinese fan tearfully lamenting the absence of his nation's flag during the opening ceremony. Unbeknownst to him, the replay he watched streamed through Chinese servers, the official match ball contained Chinese sensors, and many fans around him arrived on Chinese electric buses.
Two life-sized Labubu figures, characters from POP MART's blind box collectibles, appeared on the pitch in customized World Cup jerseys. Labubu, which gained popularity in China and Southeast Asia since 2022, now shares the global stage with national flags and official mascots.
Outside the stadiums, Mexican host cities have upgraded public transport for the tournament, relying heavily on Chinese manufacturers. Local authorities deployed over 800 new-energy buses and 115 light-rail trains designed and supplied by Chinese companies.