Disaster in China as Nationwide Soccer Crew Struggles in 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

The 2nd FIFA World Cup 2026 North and Central America Asia qualifier between China and Thailand was held in Shenyang, China on the seventh. Reuters = Yonhap Information

With China’s nationwide soccer staff susceptible to early elimination from the second Asian qualifying spherical of the 2026 FIFA World Cup North and Central America, the temper in China is already tense. It’s because the variety of accidents continues to extend as a result of stress of getting greater than a draw within the final sport in opposition to Korea. There are additionally predictions that if the staff is eradicated within the second preliminary spherical, the coach will probably be sacked after simply 4 months in workplace.

China’s Sohu.com reported on the eighth (Korean time), “13 groups have confirmed that they’ve superior to the World Cup finals. “Now, 11 groups, together with China and Thailand, are competing for the remaining 5 spots,” he stated, “China has a bonus over Thailand, however its possibilities of advancing to the “It’s because Korea is the final opponent, whereas Thailand goes to face Singapore.”

Certainly, in Group C of the second preliminary spherical, Korea took first place with 13 factors (4 wins, 1 draw), adopted by China (8 factors) and Thailand (5 factors). Primarily based on the outcomes of the final match of the second preliminary spherical held on the eleventh, the place of the runner-up to advance to the ultimate spherical will probably be decided. If China loses in opposition to Korea and Thailand wins in opposition to Singapore (1 level), China and Thailand will probably be tied on factors. On this case, the objective distinction between the 2 groups is taken into account, and if the objective distinction is tied, the rating is set by the variety of factors indicated.

At present, the acquire/loss distinction is +1 in China and -2 in Thailand. Contemplating the facility hole between Korea and China and, alternatively, the facility hole between Thailand and Singapore, the hole is sufficient to reverse it. From China’s standpoint, they’ll advance to the primary spherical on their very own simply by drawing with Korea, however contemplating Korea’s firepower, together with the 7-0 victory of the in opposition to Singapore final time, it is not a straightforward objective in any respect.

The 2nd FIFA World Cup 2026 North and Central America Asia qualifier between China and Thailand was held in Shenyang, China on the seventh. AFP = Yonhap Information

To make issues worse, there are numerous elements that trigger despair for Chinese language soccer. First, Korea has already confirmed the primary place within the group and progress to the ultimate preliminary spherical, however the objective is to be assigned to the best seed (pot 1) within the preliminary spherical about nonetheless late. It’s because there’s robust competitors with Australia for the third place in Asia within the FIFA rankings. Solely by sustaining third place can they get the highest seed within the remaining preliminaries of port allocation and keep away from Japan and Iran within the remaining preliminaries. A high seed is a objective that interim coach Kim Do-hoon is already listening to.

Sohu.com additionally stated, “It’s clear that Korea will wage struggle in opposition to China to keep up its third place in Asia. Followers are additionally taking the sport significantly in China, with tickets offered out. Because the European season ends, a lot of Korea’s star gamers will have the ability to take part. “China will face unprecedented challenges,” he stated.

Many individuals are injured right here as properly. Allan, a pure participant from Brazil who final performed in opposition to Thailand, suffered a muscle harm through the match, making it tough for him to play in opposition to Korea. Together with Alang, 6 gamers are lacking as a result of harm in preparation for the Korea sport. Though Woo Ray is returning, the native clarification is that it’s tough to connect a lot significance to him contemplating Korea’s defensive capacity.

Naturally, the disaster in China over being kicked out of the World Cup means the coach might be sacked. China fired coach Aleksandar Jankovic (Serbia) final February and it has been difficult to advance to the World Cup remaining qualification beneath coach Branko Ivankovic (Croatia). Nonetheless, there have been even predictions that if he was eradicated within the second preliminary spherical, Ivankovic’s future as a coach can be in jeopardy simply 4 months after he took workplace. Sohu.com stated, “Korea, who’re competing for the highest seed, will do their greatest. “We’ll present no mercy to Chinese language soccer,” he stated, “If we’re eradicated within the second spherical of the World Cup qualifiers, we can not rule out the likelihood that Coach Ivankovic will probably be eradicated his job.

Reporter Kim Myeong-seok clear@edaily.co.kr