‘Lone warrior’ travels to Poland to fulfil promise to watch China at U20 Women’s World Cup

A “lone warrior” watched on as China’s football team started their 2026 U20 Women’s World Cup with an emphatic 5-0 victory over New Caledonia in Poland.

Li Zijian was the sole Chinese fan in attendance at Sosnowiec Arena, his solitary cheers spurring on the team during the match.

And his presence did not go unnoticed. At the end of the match, captain Liu Chen led her team hand in hand towards an almost empty stand, bowing deeply to the 23-year-old earlier in the week.

Li was also in attendance to watch China play out a 0-0 draw against Nigeria in Poland on Friday, leaving them second in the group.

According to Chinese media reports, Li, a former member of the military from Beijing currently studying Spanish as an exchange student in Navarra, Spain, travelled more than 7,000 kilometres to fulfil a promise he made in April.

After China secured their World Cup berth with a 2-1 comeback victory against Uzbekistan in Thailand at the U20 Women’s Asian Cup, Li shouted “See you in Poland” alongside fellow supporters.

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