The Chinese national football team has unveiled its 32-player roster for the decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers. Among the selections are five debutants, including three promising U23 defenders and two dynamic U20 strikers, signaling a blend of youthful energy and experienced talent.
Key newcomers to the squad include defensive trio Liu Haofan, Wang Shiqin, and Xu Bin, all aged 23 or under, who are earning their first senior call-ups. On the offensive front, 2006-born forwards Wang Yudong and Liu Chengyu also make their senior debuts, aiming to bolster China’s attacking options.
The roster does miss some familiar faces, with 2024 Chinese Men's Footballer of the Year Wu Lei and starting center-back Zhu Chenjie sidelined due to injuries. However, Yunnan Yukun's naturalized striker Hou Yongyong is set to make his international debut, offering fresh momentum for the team’s 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 sits at the bottom of Group C with six points, level with Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Bahrain, and just one point behind second-placed Australia. Japan continues to dominate the group with a commanding 16 points.
The upcoming matches are critical for China as they seek to climb the standings and secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Fans are eager to see how the new talents will perform on the international stage and contribute to the team's quest for qualification.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
