China's national soccer team is facing new technical regulations for refereeing as it prepares for the upcoming 18-team tournament, according to Sports Weekly's Ma Dexing. According to AFC officials, every match must be played in a stadium equipped with VAR equipment, which is one of the most significant changes from the previous 36-team tournament.
Officials from FIFA's competition department detailed the new rules for the 18-team tournament at a meeting of delegates convened by the AFC. Previously, just over half of the 47 member associations in the Asian region used VAR technology in their domestic leagues, with funding issues a major obstacle to the rollout.
Currently, VAR technology is commonly used in China's Chinese Super League, but cities hosting home matches for the 18-team tournament need to ensure that they meet FIFA's equipment standards. It is reported that cities like Dalian and Shenyang are considered ideal choices for hosting matches due to their complete equipment and favorable weather conditions.
The Chinese national team will return home to prepare for the match after the away match against Japan on September 5, and the northern city may become the preferred arrangement due to its weather and geographical location advantages. The move aims to provide a better playing environment and a smoother preparation process for the players.
This change demonstrates the importance of the Chinese
national soccer team
The continued progress of the ball in the technical and competitive environment has also brought more expectation and confidence to the fans, who are looking forward to the national team's outstanding performance in the 18-team tournament.
