ShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & Platforms Why China Still Can’t Crack the World Cup: Cameron Wilson
Nov 30, 2025
39:33
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just around the corner, and Asia will be sending eight teams to the biggest tournament in football history — expanded to 48 nations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Japan, South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Qatar, Iraq, and Uzbekistan have all secured their spots, representing a continent where football passion runs deep. But there's one glaring absence from this list: China. The world's most populous nation will once again watch from the sidelines. It's a paradox that becomes more puzzling with each passing tournament — how can a country with such resources, ambition, and a president who personally dreams of World Cup glory, fail so consistently at the world's most popular sport? To help us unpack this mystery, we're joined by Cameron Wilson — a longtime China resident, cultural observer, and arguably the most passionate voice in English-language Chinese football coverage.
1. Let’s start with the basics: What first drew you into Chinese football?
2. You've long argued that football is a reflection of society. What do you mean by that?
3. What role does fandom play in Chinese football today? Is it the same as Europe?
4. What's the difference between basketball and football in China?
5. What's the culture of success for football in China?
4. Will bringing in big global players help grow Chinese football?
5. Let’s flip it: What has China done right in football?
6. You also release music under the alias Shanghai Ultra, and your latest album is called Wavering Loyalty. Why that title?
Cameron on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-wilson-75805017/
Cameron's Dance Album "Wavering Loyalty:" https://prismaticforce.bandcamp.com/album/wavering-loyalty
Donate to Shanghaizhan: https://www.patreon.com/8001836/join
For everything ShanghaiZhan: http://zhanstation.com/
ShanghaiZhan Theme Music: by Bryce Whitwam
https://soundcloud.com/bryce-r-whitwam/bad-cough-syrup?si=cfb30a6e0c0e459da78b912bf60825ac
Bryce on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brycewhitwam/
Ali on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alikazmi/
1. Let’s start with the basics: What first drew you into Chinese football?
2. You've long argued that football is a reflection of society. What do you mean by that?
3. What role does fandom play in Chinese football today? Is it the same as Europe?
4. What's the difference between basketball and football in China?
5. What's the culture of success for football in China?
4. Will bringing in big global players help grow Chinese football?
5. Let’s flip it: What has China done right in football?
6. You also release music under the alias Shanghai Ultra, and your latest album is called Wavering Loyalty. Why that title?
Cameron on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-wilson-75805017/
Cameron's Dance Album "Wavering Loyalty:" https://prismaticforce.bandcamp.com/album/wavering-loyalty
Donate to Shanghaizhan: https://www.patreon.com/8001836/join
For everything ShanghaiZhan: http://zhanstation.com/
ShanghaiZhan Theme Music: by Bryce Whitwam
https://soundcloud.com/bryce-r-whitwam/bad-cough-syrup?si=cfb30a6e0c0e459da78b912bf60825ac
Bryce on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brycewhitwam/
Ali on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alikazmi/