In a thrilling early-morning clash on May 13, 2026, China’s U17 men’s national team secured a 2-0 victory over Qatar in the final group stage match of the U17 Asian Cup. The win propelled them into the knockout rounds as the second-place finishers in Group B, with 3 points from 1 win and 2 losses, edging out both Qatar and Indonesia on goal difference. Crucially, this triumph also earned China a spot at the 2026 U17 World Cup in Qatar, marking the nation’s return to a global youth tournament after a 21-year absence.
The path to qualification was narrow. Before the match, China had lost both opening games, while Qatar and Indonesia each held 3 points. To advance, China needed two simultaneous outcomes: Japan to beat Indonesia, and China to win by at least two goals against Qatar. Both conditions were met—Japan defeated Indonesia 3-1, and China’s young squad delivered a composed performance. He Sifan opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a precise long-range strike from the left side of the box, curling the ball into the far corner. Substitute Zhang Bolin sealed the win in the 71st minute with a powerful header from a left-wing cross.
From the first whistle, China showed relentless determination. They dominated possession and created numerous chances, finishing with 23 shots (8 on target) compared to Qatar’s 6 (1 on target). In the first half, players like Zhao Songyuan and Shuai Weihao squandered clear opportunities, and the score could have been more lopsided. However, the team’s tactical adjustment in the second half was slightly sluggish, allowing Qatar to mount a few dangerous attacks.
Looking ahead, China will face Saudi Arabia, the Group A winner and tournament host, in the quarterfinals on May 16 at 1:00 AM Beijing time. This historic qualification ends a long drought—China’s U17 team last played in the World Cup (then the U17 World Championship) in 2005, when both the U20 and U17 squads featured. Since then, no Chinese men’s team had appeared on a global stage until now.