Football - Team China

General
The People's Republic of China secured their place in Tokyo through the 2020 AFC Olympic Qualifying Tournament. In a tight decisive play-off against the Republic of Korea in April 2021, the Chinese team prevailed 4-3 on aggregate over two legs to book a ticket to their sixth Olympic Games. They have competed at each edition of the Games to feature women's football with the exception of 2012.

The Chinese team's sole Olympic medal is a silver from the inaugural tournament in Atlanta in 1996, when they lost to the United States of America in the final. Since then they have ranked fifth twice [2000 and 2008], ninth in 2004, and eighth at the 2016 Games. In Rio they opened with a 3-0 loss to hosts Brazil before beating South Africa 2-0 and drawing 0-0 with Sweden. They were then eliminated 1-0 in the quarterfinals by the German side that went on to win gold.

At the 2019 World Cup, the People's Republic of China suffered another 1-0 defeat to Germany in their opening match. They progressed to the knockout stages after a win against South Africa and a goalless draw with Spain, before Italy beat them 2-0 in the last 16. Hosts of the first women's World Cup in 1991, the Chinese team's best result at the tournament is a runners-up finish behind the US team in 1999.