China has announced its 32-player roster for the pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers slated against Saudi Arabia and Australia. The squad introduces five debutants, including three under-23 defensive prospects and two under-20 strikers, highlighting a blend of youth and enthusiasm.
The new defensive trio comprises Liu Haofan, Wang Shiqin, and Xu Bin, all aged 23 or younger, while forwards Wang Yudong and Liu Chengyu, born in 2006, earn their first senior call-ups. Notably, the squad excludes 2024 Chinese Men's Footballer of the Year Wu Lei and starting center-back Zhu Chenjie, both currently sidelined by injuries.
Yunnan Yukun's naturalized striker Hou Yongyong is set to make his international debut, as China looks to bolster its offensive strategies. Team Dragon is scheduled to face Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on March 20 before returning to Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, to host Australia on March 25.
With four group stage matches remaining, China currently stands at the bottom of Group C with six points, level with Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Bahrain. They trail the second-placed Australia by a single point, while Japan dominates the group with a commanding 16 points.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
