China Faces ‘Group of Death’ in 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers
China’s head coach Branko Ivankovic acknowledged on Thursday that his team has been drawn into the toughest group in the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifying tournament.
At the draw held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the 18 remaining Asian teams were divided into three groups to compete for 8.5 spots at the World Cup finals. China found themselves in Group C alongside Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Indonesia—a lineup many are calling the “group of death.”
“Yes, it’s a tough draw for us—it’s the toughest group compared to Groups A and B,” Ivankovic told the AFC website. “But this is something we expected because we were in the fifth pot, and we knew we couldn’t find a weak team. In these 18 teams, there is no weak team.”
The road to the World Cup is challenging. The top two teams from each group will secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Teams finishing third and fourth will advance to the next round of qualifiers, forming two groups of three teams in a single-round format. Both group winners from this stage will also earn World Cup berths.
Additionally, the two second-placed teams from the fourth round will face off in a two-legged playoff. The winner will move on to the intercontinental playoff, competing for the final available ticket to the World Cup.
China’s journey will require navigating past some of Asia’s strongest football nations. Japan, Australia, and Saudi Arabia have all featured prominently in recent World Cups, presenting formidable challenges for Ivankovic’s squad.
Despite the daunting task ahead, fans remain hopeful that China can rise to the occasion and defy the odds in their quest for World Cup qualification.
Reference(s):
China drawn into toughest group of FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers
cgtn.com
