4. Chinese Super League on the rise

The standard of the Chinese Super League has improved markedly in recent years with a number of global stars leaving Europe to join local clubs. This World Cup has provided further evidence that China is an ideal place for the world's elite footballers to ply their trade. Some eight players at this World Cup belong to Chinese clubs, including Brazil's Renato Augusto, Argentina's Javier Mascherano and Belgium's Yannick Carrasco.

The Super League's high representation shows that Chinese domestic football must be nurtured and the high quality maintained. The importance of promoting local talent while attracting international stars will continue to be a fine balancing act.

5. Off-pitch presence

The 21st edition of the World Cup has also shown that it is possible for countries to make an impression at football's biggest international event without fielding a team. China has done just that, providing a raft of major sponsors that have capitalized on the tournament's exposure to extend the global reach of their brands.

Among official backers of Russia 2018 are property and entertainment conglomerate Wanda, technology firms Hisense and Vivo, and dairy company Mengniu.

"Chinese companies spotted the opportunity for a relatively cost-effective way to get their brands in front of billions of global eyeballs," Simon Chadwick, professor of sports enterprise at Salford University in the UK, told the Guardian.

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