For football fans like Miko Zhang, China failed to qualify for this year's world cup Almost beside the point.
Early yesterday morning, as Argentina recorded a 3-0 win over Algeria, hundreds of fans gathered on the lawn of the courtyard of the Argentine Embassy in Beijing to cheer on the team. Some wore the country's blue and white jerseys while relaxing on beanbags shaped like soccer balls, while others enjoyed an early barbecue lunch featuring Argentine beef.
“I'm used to it! Maybe in 10 years. For now, we have Messi,” Zhang, 34, told NBC News when asked about China's absence from the tournament, referring to Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.
China has not qualified for the Men's World Cup since 2002, but football remains popular in the country, with more than 44 million viewers watching. South Korea's opening game against Czechia last week, according to data from state broadcaster CCTV.