Chinese football fans are getting their excuses in early before their 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, with blame being placed on the rain before the downpours even begin. A hashtag announcing that China’s Group C game against Saudi Arabia at the Dalian Suoyuwan Football Stadium could be played in the rain has been trending on Weibo, with football fans debating whether the shower would benefit the national side. Despite China, ranked 87th in the world, having home advantage against the World Cup regulars Saudi Arabia, who are 30 places ahead on Fifa’s table, fans have convinced themselves the weather will determine the outcome. “The national football team have lost this match because of the rain. Let’s think of the reason first,” one Weibo user said. Another particularly pessimistic user commented: “I think even if the opposition [had only] a goalkeeper, the national team still would not score.”
China's Search for Redemption
China will be bidding to bounce back from their 7-0 defeat to Japan last time out when they continue their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Branko Ivankovic's side are bottom of Group C in the third round, while Saudi Arabia opened their section with a 1-1 draw against Indonesia, so both teams are looking for their first victories in the third round.
The Japan Debacle
China never got going against Japan last time out, but the score was only 2-0 at the interval, with the hosts then finding the back of the net five times in the second half to make it a 7-0 match. There is pressure on Ivankovic's team to bounce back in their second match in Group C, and they are bidding to compete in the finals of a World Cup for just the second time. China were present in the 2002 competition, being eliminated in the group stage, but they have not been able to qualify since, winning only seven of their 18 matches in their attempt to secure a spot in Qatar two years ago. The Dragon Team were also beaten 1-0 by South Korea on June 11 but managed to advance from the second round of qualifying courtesy of their second-placed finish in Group C.
Saudi Arabia's Path to Redemption
Saudi Arabia have lost just one of their last eight matches against China in all competitions, including a 3-2 success during qualification for the 2022 World Cup. The Green Falcons would have been expecting to open their Group C campaign with a win over Indonesia, but they found it tough on Thursday and had to come from behind to secure a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Saudi Arabia, who are now managed by Roberto Mancini, have been present in the last two World Cups, being eliminated in the group stage on both occasions. The national side reached the last-16 stage of the competition back in 1994, but they have not managed to make it out of the groups since, so it would be some achievement if Mancini could secure qualification and then lead a charge into the knockout round of the 2026 tournament.
Mancini's Take on the Match
Saudi national football team manager Roberto Mancini spoke at a press conference on Monday about the Green Team’s preparations for the upcoming match against China in the second round of the third stage of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. He said: “The Chinese team has a good squad despite their recent loss against the Japanese team. I expect that the Chinese team will be better than the last match tomorrow, so we must be prepared well and take advantage of all opportunities. “We are training intensively on scoring, and we must continue to create opportunities. I am confident that we will make better use of chances in the upcoming matches. “Our match against the Chinese national team will be different for both teams. I hope our performance will be the same as it was in the second half of the last match and that we will create opportunities and score.” Player Saleh Al-Shehri also addressed the match, saying: “It will be a tough match. We must be well-prepared tomorrow and work hard because the match will not be easy.”
A Tight Match
Key Players
China head coach Ivankovic will not panic after the Japan clash despite the incredible defeat, as there were positives to take in the first half of the contest. Wu Lei is comfortably the leading goalscorer in the squad with 36, and he will again feature in the final third of the field, with the 32-year-old preparing to make his 98th appearance for his country. Zhang Yuning should also retain his spot, while the captain Wang Dalei will continue between the sticks. As for Saudi Arabia, Nasser Al-Dawsari will again feature in an advanced area, with the 25-year-old set to continue his search for his first international goal. There are not expected to be any real surprises when it comes to the away side's XI for this match, with Abdullah Radif also in line for a spot in the final third of the field. Musab Al-Juwayr is a relative newcomer to the squad, but the 21-year-old has scored three times in six appearances for his country, and he will again be in the XI for this match.
Potential Starting Lineups
China possible starting lineup:Wang Dalei; Yang Zexiang, Jiang Guangtai, Zhu Chenjie, Liu Yang; Xie Wenneng, Li Yuanyi, Jiang Shenglong, Xu Haoyang; Wu Lei, Zhang Yuning Saudi Arabia possible starting lineup:Al Owais; Tambakti, Lajami, Al Bulayhi; Al Ghannam, Al Khalbari, Al-Juwayr, Al Harbi; Kanno, Radif, Al Dawsari
Looking Ahead
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
