Chinese National Football Teams Gear Up for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

The Chinese men's national football team has initiated its winter training session in Haikou, Hainan Province, to prepare for the upcoming Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. This period of training is critical for the team as they work on enhancing their tactical strategies and addressing the inconsistencies highlighted in their 2024 qualifying series. Their current position at the bottom of a six-team qualifying group puts additional pressure on the players, as they are just one point away from second-placed Australia. The team is set to compete against Saudi Arabia on March 20 and then host Australia on March 25, making these matches pivotal for revitalizing their momentum.

Football commentators express optimism about the team's morale, bolstered by recent wins against Indonesia and Bahrain. Coach Branko Ivankovic underscored the significance of this training camp, especially for integrating new players into the squad, which includes naturalized athlete Hou Yongyong playing in Norway and forward Wu Shaocong from Poland. The training aims to improve the understanding and cooperation among players, especially as they prepare for the intensity of the approaching qualifiers, where injuries and suspensions could be factors, requiring new players to step up if necessary.

On a larger scale, the Chinese women's national team is facing a relatively quiet year in 2025, with limited international engagements. Emerging talents like winger Huo Yuexin are being looked upon to rejuvenate the squad. The U20 men's team is preparing for the AFC U20 Asian Cup with ambitions for a top-four finish that could lead them to the FIFA U20 World Cup later in the year. Under coach Dejan Durdevic, the team has engaged in extensive training and numerous friendlies, cultivating promising talents while relying on a home-field advantage.

Additionally, the U17 national team is also in preparation for the AFC U17 Asian Cup, aiming to secure its first World Cup qualification. This year marks significant reform in Chinese football with the introduction of a unified national calendar for youth competitions, which aims to resolve scheduling conflicts and improve competition standards. This new approach to tournaments is expected to streamline player development and create a more reliable pipeline of talent for the national teams. Overall, these developments point toward a more organized and focused effort in nurturing football excellence in China.