China National Team Faces Squad Shortage at Chongqing Invitational Tournament
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
China's national football team will compete in a four-match invitational tournament in Chongqing starting Thursday, featuring matches against Maldives, New Zealand, Palestine, and Tajikistan. Head coach Shao Jiayi faces a depleted squad due to the Asian Games and Chinese Super League make-up fixtures, prompting the inclusion of several young players including 17-year-old Zhao Songyuan. The tournament serves as preparation for the AFC Asian Cup finals scheduled for January 2026.
Key Points
- The Chongqing International Football Invitational Tournament runs from September 24 to October 6, 2026, with four A-level friendly matches
- Opponents in order: Maldives (Sept 24), New Zealand (Sept 27), Palestine (Oct 2), and Tajikistan (Oct 6), with New Zealand being the strongest rival
- Key players missing include Zhang Yuning and other U23 players competing at the Asian Games, leaving Wei Shixiang, Celsinho, and Jiang Guangtai as squad pillars
- Notable youth inclusions feature Zhao Songyuan (17 years old, 1.94m tall) from Tsinghua University Affiliated High School, a rare non-professional player selected for the national team
- China ranks 91st globally; Maldives ranks 173rd, making Thursday's opener a favorable matchup for the hosts
- The team began training on September 12, with Shao Jiayi having taken charge in November last year with his sights set on January's Asian Cup
Why It Matters
This tournament represents a critical testing ground for China's next generation of footballers ahead of the AFC Asian Cup, while also demonstrating how the national team adapts when star players are unavailable due to conflicting international commitments .
This tournament represents a critical testing ground for China's next generation of footballers ahead of the AFC Asian Cup, while also demonstrating how the national team adapts when star players are unavailable due to conflicting international commitments .