The Chinese national football team faces the World Cup qualifiers round of 18: challenges and expectations
With the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the Asian round of 18 approaching, the Chinese national men's football team (hereinafter referred to as the "national football team") has once again become the focus of attention in the domestic sports community and even the whole society. This upcoming match is not only about whether the national football team can hit the dream of the World Cup finals, but also an important test of the development achievements of Chinese football in recent years. At this high-profile moment, the adjustment of the national football lineup, especially the change of the starting goalkeeper, has sparked widespread discussion. Let's delve into the current state of the national football team, the challenges it faces, and its hopes for the future.
1. Overview and group situation of the top 18
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Asian Round of 18 will be played in a round-robin format, with 18 teams divided into three groups of six teams each. The top two teams in each group will qualify directly for the World Cup finals, while the third place finishers in each group will compete for the final qualification spot. This format is more intense than before, and it also provides more opportunities for Asian teams to qualify.
However, the grouping situation of the Chinese team can be described as precarious. Joining China are Asian football giants Japan, traditional powerhouse Korea, Middle Eastern powerhouse Saudi Arabia, Oceania powerhouse Australia, and Thailand, which has improved significantly in recent years. Dubbed the "Group of Death" by fans, this group is home to most of the best in Asian football, and every game will be a tough test.
As the leader of Asian football, Japan has participated in seven consecutive World Cup finals and has gathered stars who play in Europe's top leagues. The Korea team also has a deep heritage, with world-class players such as Son Heung-min. Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in recent years, and the local league has attracted many international stars, and the overall strength of the team has improved significantly. Although Australia belongs to Oceania geographically, it belongs to the AFC in football, and its strong physicality and mature tactical system have been a big problem for other teams in Asia. Even Thailand, which is relatively weak in the group, has dominated Southeast Asia in recent years.
With such a strong opponent around, if the Chinese team wants to qualify from the group, it must go all out in every game and strive for every point. This requires not only the individual ability of the players, but also the unity of the whole team to exert extraordinary combat effectiveness.
Second, the current situation and preparations of the national football team
In the face of such an arduous task, the preparation of the national football team is particularly important. In recent months, the Chinese Football Association and the coaching staff have stepped up their preparations for the game, and have worked hard to improve the team's strength and tacit understanding by organizing warm-up matches and closed training camps.
In terms of lineup, the national football team has also made some adjustments. The most striking thing is the change in the goalkeeper's position. The original starting goalkeeper Wang Dalei was temporarily hidden due to the ups and downs of his form, and was replaced by a young grim Ling. The decision has sparked a lot of controversy, but it also reflects the coaching staff's philosophy of stability and future-focus.
In addition to the goalkeeper position, the national football team is also constantly trying new combinations in other positions. In the backline, veterans such as Zhang Linpeng and Zeng Cheng are still the backbone, but young players like Zhu Chenjie are also gradually being reused. In the midfield, the return of Wu Lei has undoubtedly enhanced the team's offensive firepower, while experienced players such as Hao Junmin and Wu Xi have provided the team with a stable midfield organization. On the front line, the naturalization of Ackerson has given the national football team more tactical options, and the combination with local forwards such as Zhang Yuning and Xie Pengfei is expected to form a new offensive model.
However, the problems of the national football team cannot be solved by the adjustment of just a few players. For a long time, the structural problems of Chinese football, such as the imperfect youth training system and the disconnection between the league level and the international team, are all deep-seated factors restricting the development of the national football team. Solving these problems will require long-term efforts and systematic reforms, and will not be achieved overnight.
3. The battle for the starting goalkeeper
In the process of preparing for the game, there is no one that has attracted the most attention than the selection of the starting goalkeeper. The importance of the goalkeeper as the team's last line of defense cannot be overstated. A good goalkeeper not only saves dangerous balls, but also brings security to the entire backline, thus improving the overall defensive level of the team.
Former starting goalkeeper Wang Dalei has performed well in many international tournaments, especially against Korea, and his many wonderful saves have won praise from fans. However, Wang's performances in the club league have seen ups and downs. Especially in a game against Shanghai Shenhua, his performance of scoring 6 goals raised questions about his form.
In contrast, the new starting goalkeeper Yan Ling has less experience in the national team, but he has performed well and consistently in the club league. His excellent physical fitness, quick reflexes and good judgment are all basic requirements of modern football for top goalkeepers. More importantly, Yan Ling is young and has great potential, which is in line with the strategic needs of the national football team to establish long-term competitiveness.
Public opinion has reacted differently to this adjustment. Supporters believe that in the face of such an important event, it would be wise to choose a goalkeeper who is more consistent. Skeptics argue that Wang Dalei's experience in the tournament is indispensable, and a hasty change may affect the overall tempo of the team.
In any case, the selection of goalkeepers reflects the coaching staff's philosophy and tactical thinking. In the next game, whether Yan Ling can withstand the pressure and play well will directly affect the record of the national football team. At the same time, it is also a valuable opportunity for young players to train a world-class goalkeeper for Chinese football in the years to come.
Fourth, tactical layout and game strategy
In the face of strong opponents, the national football team must be fully prepared at the tactical level. According to the different characteristics of the opponent, the development of targeted tactical arrangements will be the key factor in determining the outcome of the game.
Against Japan, the national football team may adopt a defensive counter-attack strategy. Japan are good at possession and penetration, and the national football team needs to organize a tight defence, contain the opponent's midfield organization, and at the same time take advantage of the gaps in the Japan back line to launch a quick counterattack.
Facing the Korea team, the Chinese team should pay special attention to preventing the opponent's wing attack and high-altitude ball tactics. Strengthening the defensive awareness of the full-backs while putting pressure up front and disrupting the organisation of Korea may work wonders.
Saudi Arabia is known for its fast and skillful attack, and the national football team needs to improve the coordination of the defense and reduce the opponent's attacking space. At the same time, take advantage of physical confrontation and high balls to seek scoring opportunities from set-pieces.
Australia is characterized by being physically strong and full of energy, and the national football team needs to work on the ball to avoid falling into the physical confrontation that the opponent is good at. The flexible attacking routine may find a breakthrough in Australia's defence.
Against Thailand, the Chinese team should give full play to its technical and tactical advantages, take the initiative to control the pace of the game, and look for scoring opportunities through patient passing and breakthroughs.
In general, the national football team needs to flexibly adjust its tactics according to the characteristics of each opponent. In a situation where the overall strength may be at a disadvantage, it is more necessary to give full play to the advantages of the team, and strive for every point through tight defense and efficient counterattack.
5. Players' psychological adjustment and team spirit
In such a high-stakes game, the mental state of the players is also crucial. In the face of strong opponents, how to maintain self-confidence without being conceited, how not to be discouraged when falling behind, and how not to be proud when leading are all topics that require the joint efforts of the coaching staff and players.
The national football team needs to build a strong team spirit. Every player must understand that in the 90 minutes on the field, they not only represent themselves, but also represent the football dream of 1.4 billion Chinese. This sense of responsibility and mission can be translated into motivation and help players burst out with extraordinary energy in the game.
At the same time, the team also needs to be led by a leader-type player. Veterans like Wu Lei and Zhang Linpeng must not only play their technical characteristics on the field, but also lead the whole team mentally. Their experience and mental qualities can stabilize the morale of the army at critical moments and lead the team through difficult times.
In addition, the support of domestic fans is also an important spiritual force of the national football team. Although the live audience may be limited due to factors such as the pandemic, the enthusiastic support of fans across the country will still be transmitted to the players through various means. How to correctly treat the expectations of fans and turn pressure into motivation is also a lesson that the national football team needs to learn.
6. Youth training and long-term development
Although the round of 18 is the top priority at the moment, the development of Chinese football cannot just focus on one moment. How to fundamentally improve the overall level of Chinese football and cultivate more excellent players is the key to ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the national football team.
In recent years, the Chinese Football Association has invested a lot of resources in youth training. The construction of youth training echelons at all levels, the promotion of campus football, and the implementation of the overseas study plan are all aimed at reserving talents for Chinese football. However, the effectiveness of these measures will need to be tested over time.
At the same time, the reform of the professional leagues is also underway. The only way for the development of Chinese football is to improve the viewing and competitive level of the league by introducing more market-oriented mechanisms, and then sending more outstanding players to the national team.
In addition, international exchanges and cooperation cannot be ignored. Through exchanges and learning with developed countries in football, the introduction of advanced training concepts and management experience can provide new ideas for the development of Chinese football.
VII. Conclusion
The round of 18 of the World Cup qualifiers is undoubtedly a severe test for the Chinese team. In the face of a strong opponent, the national football team needs to play at an extraordinary level to be expected to break through. However, regardless of the outcome, it will be an important milestone on the road to the development of Chinese football.
Through this competition, we can more clearly recognize the gap with the top teams in Asia and find out the direction that needs to be improved. At the same time, it is also a valuable opportunity for young players to gain experience in international competitions and lay the foundation for future development.
Finally, we expect the national football team to show tenacious fighting spirit and superb technical and tactical level in the game. No matter what the result is, as long as all the soldiers do their best and show the spirit of Chinese football, it is already a victory. Let us look forward to the wonderful performance of the national football team in the round of 18, and continue to work hard for the bright future of Chinese football.