Spanish fans cheer after the triumph on Monday at a compound in Shanghai's Jing'an district, as Ferran Torres scored in extra time to dethrone Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final. The victory ended Spain's 16-year wait to win another world title.

An Argentine fan bursts into tears on Monday in Beijing following Argentina's World Cup defeat by Spain.

As Spain lifted its second World Cup on Sunday and FIFA's showpiece tournament capped its expanded 23rd edition with global fanfare, many Chinese soccer fans were left wondering how long they'd have to wait for the national team to return to this elite international stage.

Despite uninterrupted nationwide excitement over the quadrennial sporting extravaganza, China made its sole appearance in the tournament 24 years ago, and former players said they believe a return would take consistent and concerted endeavors, given the current high standards of international soccer.

The World Cup remains a global benchmark in the game, and its expanded 48-team edition would require Chinese sports governing bodies, youth development promoters and league operators to invest a great deal of time and effort for the national squad to reenter the tournament, they said.

Sun Jihai, 48, a former Chinese national soccer star, who gave a running commentary in Beijing on the final match between Spain and defending champion Argentina, noted the involvement of Chinese sponsors, referees and manufacturers in this year's tournament.

"To see such a strong Chinese presence, we should feel proud. But, I believe, what we all hope to see is our men's team making it there again," said Sun, who was a formidable defender on China's 2002 World Cup qualifying team.

"To do it again — not just once, but in a consistent way — we need to work harder, investing long-term effort in youth training and committing to grassroots promotion, instead of relying on the fantasy of a quick-fix," said Sun, who also played with Manchester City in the Premier League.

"That's how all the global soccer powerhouses — and some of the emerging new contenders — do it. There is no other way," he added.

Sun is not the only one calling for a more pragmatic and consistent plan to revitalize China's men's soccer program. After the country's qualifying hopes for the 2026 tournament were crushed in June last year in the sixth consecutive failure, many in the industry highlighted the complex disconnect between ambitious administrative push and on-field performance.

Xie Hui, 51, top scorer for China in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifying tournament, called for building a more robust, grassroots-led talent pipeline.

"We need to invest more in our young people and, quite encouragingly, that's been a consensus within the nation's sporting community. We've seen some positive signs," said Xie, who contributed seven goals during China's qualifying campaign 24 years ago, but was dropped from the final World Cup team roster due to injury.

"I think the examples of the world's best teams, such as Spain — and those other fast-improving nations — have all proven that there is no shortcut to success," he added.

On a more positive note, Xie pointed out that China's Under-17 squad made it to the Asian Cup final in May and, thereby, secured a spot in the U17 World Cup scheduled before the end of the year in Qatar. The Chinese U23 soccer squad also reached the Asian Cup final in that age category in January, making it a first for the team in 22 years. These achievements bode well for the revival of Chinese men's soccer on the global stage in the future, he said.

The inspiring campaigns pulled off by the two youth squads, despite both losing to continental powerhouse Japan in their respective finals, have lifted the spirits of the whole nation, offering Chinese fans a rare reason to celebrate.

Sun, the former national defender, said, "Only by making soccer more popular among children on school campuses — and everywhere else in the country — do we stand a chance of joining the world's best."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn