China's quest for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup just hit a major challenge! 🏆🇨🇳 Drawn into Group C, dubbed the \"Group of Death,\" China will face off against some of Asia's football powerhouses, including Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Indonesia.
At the drawing ceremony on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the 18 remaining Asian teams were split into three groups, all vying for 8.5 coveted spots in the World Cup finals. China's head coach, Branko Ivankovic, acknowledged the uphill battle ahead, saying, \"Yes, it's a tough draw for us, it's the toughest group compared to Groups A and B, but this is something we expected because we were in the fifth pot and we know that we cannot find a weak team. In these 18 teams, there is no weak team.\"
Despite the daunting lineup, the team is gearing up for fierce competition. The top two teams from each group will secure their tickets to the 2026 World Cup. But the journey doesn't end there for teams placing third and fourth—they'll advance to the next round of qualifiers, joining two groups of three teams in a single-round format. The winners of these groups will also punch their tickets to the World Cup. 🛫
For those who finish second in the fourth round, hope remains. They'll face off in a two-legged playoff for the chance to enter the intercontinental playoff and compete for the final spot. The stakes are high, but so is the spirit! 💪
China's fans are buzzing with anticipation. Will they rise to the challenge and make it to the grand stage? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure—it's going to be an exciting journey ahead! 🎉
Reference(s):
China drawn into toughest group of FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers
cgtn.com
