Tianjin Daily News, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) recently unveiled the national team lineup for the first two rounds of the 36-team world qualifying tournament. It is worth mentioning that the players who failed to make the cut are not out of the picture with the national team. Yang Shuai is in charge of a huge list of players, about 50 of them, and the complexity of such a selection process, which will run through the three stages of the 36-team tournament until June of the following year, is evident. Yang will adjust the list in real time according to the performance and health of the players.
In the newly announced 24-player list, the goalkeeper position by Yan Junling, Wang Dalei, Liu Tingzai; back line including Zhang Linpeng, Jiang Guangtai, Liu Yang, Li Lei, Zhu Chenjie, Jiang Shenglong, as well as playing in the Turkish Youth United Club of Wu Shaochong; midfielder, Wang Shangyuan, Wu Xi, Dai Weijun, Li Ke, Gao Tianyi, Liu Binbin, Chen Pu, Lin Liangming, Weishao, Xie Pengfei, etc. are in the list; the forward line is Wu Lei, Tan Long, Zhang Yuning and Xie Weijun. It is reported that these players need to arrive at the assembly site in Shenzhen before 5:00 p.m. on the 9th. It is worth mentioning that although the naturalized player Eckerson was not selected because he did not meet the selection criteria of Yang Shuai, the injured Xie Weijun, with his strong patriotism, was selected after confirming that his injury was not serious. Zhang Yuning, who has been out of action for a long time, will also return to the field. Before submitting the list, Yang Shuai has conducted a comprehensive assessment of the players' physical condition and mentality.
However, some fans take issue with Yang's selection strategy. They pointed out that Yang failed to pick the best players in current form, but instead included those who have not participated in the national team training and warm-ups this year, which is a puzzling phenomenon. Other fans believe that the manager relies too much on veterans and that this strategy is questionable. There are even voices saying that such a lineup is enough for the 2030 World Cup qualifiers. Overall, the outside world is less satisfied with China's upcoming World Qualifier roster. For the two upcoming matches in November, the general expectation is that the visitors will get at least a draw.
China's national soccer team will face Thailand away on Nov. 16 and South Korea at home on Nov. 21, in two matches that will be crucial in the 36-team stage of the tournament.
