Let’s be real for a second. If you follow international football, you know the China women’s football team—affectionately known as the "Steel Roses"—isn’t just another squad on the FIFA ranking list. They are a cultural institution. But lately, things have been, well, messy. Honestly, it’s been a rollercoaster of "we’re back" moments followed by "what just happened?"
Right now, as of early 2026, the team is at a massive crossroads. People keep asking if the glory days of the 90s are gone forever or if that 2022 Asian Cup win was a sign of a true renaissance. The truth? It’s complicated. It’s a mix of aging legends, a polarizing coach, and a domestic league that’s trying to find its feet while the rest of the world—especially Europe—is sprinting ahead at light speed.
The Wembley Nightmare and the Milicic Dilemma
You can't talk about the current state of the China women's football team without mentioning that 8-0 drubbing by England at Wembley in late 2025. It was brutal. 5-0 at halftime. Watching it felt like seeing a gap in quality that wasn't just a "bad day," but a structural chasm.
Naturally, the fans went ballistic. There were loud calls for head coach Ante Milicic to be sacked before his seat even got warm. But the Chinese Football Association (CFA) did something they don't always do: they doubled down. They kept him. Milicic is an Australian who knows the Asian game, and the CFA seems convinced that he’s the guy to bridge the gap between "Asian dominance" and "Global competitiveness."
Milicic himself is pretty blunt about it. He basically told the media that the failure was "painful" but necessary. His logic? If these young players don't see what world-class looks like, they’ll never reach it. He’s currently running a training camp in Shenzhen (January 2026) with 24 players, trying to scrape the team back together for the Asian Cup in March.
✨ Don't miss: When Was the MLS Founded? The Chaotic Truth About American Soccer's Rebirth
Who’s Still Carrying the Torch?
The roster right now is a weird, fascinating blend of "I remember her from ten years ago" and "who is that kid?"
- Wu Haiyan: The veteran defender. She’s 32 now and has basically admitted this upcoming Asian Cup in Australia is her "last dance." She’s the emotional glue, but you can see the toll of a long career in her interviews.
- Wang Shuang: If you know one name, it’s hers. The former PSG forward is still the creative heartbeat. When she’s on, China looks like a top-10 team. When she’s marked out of the game? The offense often grinds to a halt.
- The New Guard: Watch out for Wang Aifang. She’s 20, full of energy, and represents the "new blood" Milicic is desperate to integrate.
The problem is consistency. You’ve got legends like Zhang Rui holding the most caps (171!), but how much longer can the old guard outrun 19-year-olds from Spain or the US?
The 2026 Asian Cup: A Make-or-Break Moment
This March, the China women’s football team heads to Australia for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. They are the defending champions, but let’s be honest: the pressure is suffocating.
They’re in Group B with North Korea, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan. On paper? They should cruise. But North Korea is a wildcard that can beat anyone on their day, and Uzbekistan isn't a pushover anymore. Milicic has set the target: reaching the final. Anything less, and the "Fire Milicic" hashtags will be trending before the plane lands back in Beijing.
🔗 Read more: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
The stakes aren't just about a trophy, though. The top six finishers qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. If China fails to make that cut, it’s not just a sporting disaster—it’s a national crisis for the sport's development.
Why the Gap is Widening
Why did China fall from being world-beaters in 1999 to fighting for relevance now? It isn't just one thing.
- The European Professionalization: While China was maintaining the status quo, Europe poured millions into the WSL, Liga F, and the Frauen-Bundesliga. The intensity there is just higher.
- Domestic League Stagnation: The Chinese Women's Super League is okay, but it doesn't provide the week-in, week-out "battle" that players need to stay sharp for the international level.
- The "Steel Rose" Identity: There is so much pressure to be "tough" and "tenacious" (the spirit of the Steel Roses) that sometimes tactical flexibility gets sacrificed for just "working harder." You can't outwork a tactically superior team that is also faster than you.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of casual fans think the China women's football team is in a permanent death spiral. That’s actually not true. They still have some of the best technical talent in Asia. Look at their 2022 Asian Cup run—they came back from 2-0 down against South Korea to win 3-2 in the final. That grit is still there.
The issue is that "grit" isn't a strategy. It's a trait. To compete in 2026 and 2027, they need more than heart; they need a modernized scouting system and more players playing abroad.
💡 You might also like: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking the progress of the Steel Roses, here is what you need to keep an eye on over the next few months to see if they’re actually improving:
- Watch the February Friendlies: Milicic has promised warm-up matches every three days in late January and February. Look at the scorelines, sure, but look at the substitutions. If he’s still relying solely on the 30+ crowd, be worried.
- Monitor the Group B Opener: Their first match in the Asian Cup will set the tone. If they struggle to break down a low block from Uzbekistan or Bangladesh, it suggests the creative issues haven't been solved.
- Player Exports: Keep an eye on how many Chinese players move to European or American leagues in the summer 2026 window. This is the single biggest indicator of future success.
- CFA Support: Look for news on whether the CFA follows through on their 2030 goal of top-three finishes. This requires infrastructure, not just talk.
The China women's football team is currently a sleeping giant that keeps hitting the snooze button. Whether they finally wake up in Australia this March or continue to drift into the middle of the pack depends entirely on how they spend the next 60 days in Shenzhen. The talent is there. The history is there. Now, they just need the results.
Data Reference Points (January 2026):
- Current FIFA Ranking: 17 (as of Dec 2025).
- Head Coach: Ante Milicic (appointed May 2024).
- Upcoming Major Tournament: AFC Women's Asian Cup (Australia, March 1-21, 2026).
- Recent Form: 8-0 loss vs England (Nov 2025), 3-2 loss vs Scotland (Dec 2025).