The trip reportedly began with a promise made after China secured qualification. In April, China came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup, and Li told fellow supporters they would meet in Poland.
The report says Li left Spain, where he was studying, to attend the tournament. His commitment made him a visible presence at the Sosnowiec Arena, where the Chinese support was otherwise limited.
China’s tournament has already produced two sharply different results:
That contrast gives the campaign an intriguing shape. The victory over New Caledonia supplied momentum, while the draw with Nigeria kept China in a strong position without settling the qualification picture. For a young squad, maintaining balance after a heavy win may prove as important as producing another explosive performance.
Li’s gesture has also highlighted the bond between national teams and supporters, particularly at youth tournaments where crowds can be smaller and every voice carries further. His presence reportedly turned an almost empty section into a focal point for the players and gave the squad a reminder of the expectations waiting back home.
The next group fixture will decide whether China’s promising start becomes a knockout-stage push. Whatever the result, Li’s long journey has already become one of the tournament’s defining sidelines stories.