He didn’t score a goal or step onto the pitch as a player, yet Li Xian still became one of the biggest talking points at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to Sina, the Chinese actor recently appeared as a special guest during the group-stage match between Spain and Saudi Arabia on June 22. Li Xian was invited to perform the ceremonial ball delivery before kickoff, a prestigious role that immediately drew attention from fans and media alike.

More notably, Li Xian made history as the first Chinese entertainer ever to carry out the pre-match ball presentation ceremony at a FIFA World Cup match.

Photos and videos of the actor walking onto the field at Atlanta Stadium in the United States with the official match ball quickly spread across social media, generating millions of views and countless comments from proud fans. His handsome appearance and charismatic presence stood out even through unfiltered broadcast footage.

Even FIFA appeared impressed by the Chinese star. FIFA’s official Weibo account in China shared multiple photos of Li Xian carrying the match ball and praised him in a post that read: “He brought both good looks and positive energy to the stadium.”

It has been reported that Li Xian received the invitation through one of the official sponsors of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which selected him as a special guest for an official tournament match.

Within the Chinese entertainment industry, Li Xian is well known for his passion for sports and travel. The actor, often referred to as Liu Yifei’s rumored boyfriend by fans, has long been a supporter of Real Madrid and has publicly expressed his admiration for Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Born in 1991, Li Xian rose to fame through hit romance dramas such as Go Go Squid!, Will Love in Spring, Meet Yourself, and Flourished Peony. He is known for his masculine charm, impressive physique, broad shoulders, and athletic build, making him one of the most popular leading men in Chinese television today.

Regarding his personal life, Li Xian has repeatedly been linked to actress Liu Yifei following their collaboration on Meet Yourself.

Industry insiders have claimed that Li Xian developed feelings for Liu Yifei after filming wrapped and actively pursued her. According to various reports, the two stars allegedly shared mutual affection and maintained a relationship that appeared closer than ordinary colleagues.

Rumors even suggested that Li Xian ended a previous relationship in order to focus on pursuing Liu Yifei.

Online users have also pointed to what they consider dating “evidence,” including reports that the pair used the same vehicle, attended a private birthday gathering hosted by television personality Li Xiang, and followed each other on Weibo.

Despite years of romance speculation surrounding the two actors, Li Xian has never publicly addressed the rumors. Likewise, Liu Yifei has not issued any statement denying the reports, leaving fans continuing to speculate about the nature of their relationship.

Sources: znews