China announces 26-man roster for World Cup qualifiers

Fang Hao of China (R) in action during the men's football quarterfinal against South Korea at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Oct. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)

Several new faces earned call-ups to the Chinese national team for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

BEIJING, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- China has unveiled a 26-player roster for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers, with several newcomers being called up.

Chinese team head coach Aleksandar Jankovic has notably included nine players who recently competed in the quarterfinals at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Among them, young talents Fang Hao, He Yupeng, and Yeljan Shinar are anticipated to make their international debut.

Additionally, the roster features 25-year-old center forward Xie Weijun from Tianjin Jinmen Tigers, marking another fresh face for the national team.

The only footballer from overseas on the roster is 23-year-old center back Wu Shaocong, who plays for Genclerbirligi S.K. in Turkey's second-tier league.

Dai Weijun (2nd R) celebrates scoring during the men's football group A round match against Myanmar at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Sept. 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

The Chinese team is slated to play two friendly matches against Vietnam and Uzbekistan in Dalian on October 10 and 16, respectively, as a warm-up for the World Cup Asian qualifiers in November.

The 26-man roster is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Liu Dianzuo, Yan Junling, Wang Dalei;

Defenders: Jiang Guangtai, Zhang Linpeng, Zhu Chenjie, Jiang Shenglong, Liu Yang, Li Lei, He Yupeng, Yeljan Shinar, Wu Shaocong;

Midfielder: Wu Xi, Xie Pengfei, Wang Shangyuan, Gao Tianyi, Li Ke, Dai Weijun, Wang Qiuming;

Forwards: Wu Lei, Ai Kesen, Wei Shihao, Chen Pu, Xie Weijun, Tan Long, Fang Hao. ■