The Labubu mascots, popular furry dolls from Chinese toy company Pop Mart, perform during the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City, Mexico, June 11, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]
China's national football team may not have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the country remains a major contributor to the tournament through its manufacturing industry, which has a key role in producing a large share of the official merchandise sold to fans worldwide.
The tournament, staged across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19. This year's World Cup is bigger than ever as it will feature 48 football teams, instead of the usual 32 teams.
Much of the World Cup-themed merchandise and souvenirs bought by fans was manufactured in Yiwu International Trade City, in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, famous as the world's largest wholesale small commodity market.
Mike Smith, 60, from East London, was in New York shopping with his wife at an official FIFA World Cup 2026 store temporarily located on the ground-floor of the plush mall The Shops at Columbus Circle in Manhattan.
