The hopes of China returning to the global football stage have been dashed after the national team was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, falling short once again despite an expanded tournament format. With just one match remaining, China has officially been ruled out of contention, continuing a disappointing streak of failed campaigns since their only World Cup appearance in 2002.
The blow came after China suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Indonesia in Jakarta. Ole Romeny’s successful penalty just before halftime sealed the fate of the Chinese side, propelling Indonesia into the playoff round while leaving China to regroup and reassess its footballing future. This latest failure underscores China’s ongoing struggle to compete at the highest levels of international football, despite heavy investment and public interest.
While China exits, three more Asian teams have secured their places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Uzbekistan and Jordan will both make their historic tournament debuts. Uzbekistan earned qualification with a goalless draw against the United Arab Emirates in Group A, while Jordan stunned Oman with a decisive 3-0 win in Group B to book their ticket. South Korea, meanwhile, maintained its remarkable run by qualifying for its 11th consecutive FIFA World Cup, following a solid 2-0 away victory over Iraq.
Elsewhere, Qatar defeated 10-man Iran 1-0 to keep its playoff hopes alive. The UAE, despite missing direct qualification, also advances to the playoffs. In Group C, Bahrain was eliminated following a 2-0 loss to Saudi Arabia. Australia took a significant step toward direct qualification by edging Japan 1-0 in Perth, now holding a strong position atop the group.
As the FIFA World Cup expands to 48 teams, Asia is seeing a surge of new representation. However, China continues to lag behind, and missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup will only intensify the pressure on the nation’s footballing authorities to deliver long-promised reform and development in the sport. With China out, attention now shifts to the final playoff rounds as the remaining teams battle for the last coveted spots.