The Chinese men’s national football team arrived in Manama, Bahrain, on Tuesday for their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifier match set to begin on Thursday.
After five days of intensive training and practice in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the team is gearing up for a pivotal game that could significantly impact their World Cup aspirations. Notably, key player Wu Lei parted ways with his teammates after suffering an injury.
“Player injuries are unavoidable,” goalkeeper Wang Dalei told reporters. “The coach has got his own plans and preparations for that. We just focus on doing our best and play every game like it’s the last.”
China has faced challenges in their recent matches, losing to Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, but securing a victory against Indonesia. Currently sitting at the bottom of Group C with three points, they are two points behind the top-two automatic qualification spots for the World Cup.
Forward Wei Shihao expressed his dedication to the team’s mission. “I want nothing more than to play for the national team,” he said. “I cherish every game more than anything after I was recruited. I hope that we can get points against Bahrain both on the road and at home, because that’s how we can stay hopeful for the World Cup.”
The upcoming match against Bahrain is crucial for China’s hopes to advance. A strong performance could reignite their campaign and bring them closer to securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Reference(s):
China arrive in Manama to face Bahrain in AFC World Cup qualifier
cgtn.com
