Asian Games Men's Football Kicks Off with Strong Chinese U23 Squad
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago4 MIN
Summary
The Asian Games men's football tournament officially kicks off on September 15, 2026, with matches held across Japan. China's U23 national team enters the competition as a formidable side, bolstered by three over-age senior internationals. The team's opening match against North Korea is scheduled for Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM, broadcast live on HOY App.
Key Points
- The tournament features teams of players aged 23 or under, with each squad permitted a maximum of three over-age players
- China has called up striker Zhang Yuning (張玉寧), 29, who previously played for Dutch club Vitesse, veteran midfielder Wu Xi (吳曦) at 37, and defender Zhu Chenjie (朱辰杰) at 26, forming an experienced core
- Japan, competing in Group A alongside Hong Kong, Kyrgyzstan, and Thailand, is considered the tournament favourite
- China is placed in Group B with Iran, North Korea, and the UAE, with analysts viewing their advancement prospects favourably
- Most Chinese U23 players participated in January's U23 Asian Cup, where they reached the final before losing to Japan
- North Korea has also selected three over-age players but appears defensive-focused, with one being a goalkeeper, and skipped the U23 Asian Cup
Why It Matters
With Hong Kong drawn in the same group as tournament hosts Japan, the performance of Asian football powerhouses like China and South Korea will set the competitive benchmark for regional U23 football development .
With Hong Kong drawn in the same group as tournament hosts Japan, the performance of Asian football powerhouses like China and South Korea will set the competitive benchmark for regional U23 football development .