The draw for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup groups was unveiled last weekend, officially kickstarting China’s preparation for the tournament. While many observers consider the Chinese men’s national football team to have landed a favorable group, newly appointed head coach Shao Jiayi stressed in an interview, “No matter the draw, every match will be a tough battle for us.”
The draw ceremony took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the early hours of May 10. Based on the FIFA rankings as of April 1, teams were divided into four pots of six. China, ranked 95th in the world and 15th in Asia, was placed in Pot 3 and eventually drawn into Group C alongside Iran, Syria, and Kyrgyzstan. To many, avoiding top-tier teams like Japan, South Korea, and Australia, and being grouped with relatively less formidable opponents, seemed like a stroke of luck for China.
Indeed, on the surface, the draw appears favorable. Apart from the tough matchup against Iran, both Syria (Pot 2) and Kyrgyzstan (Pot 4) are considered beatable for China. Syria may be weaker among Pot 2 teams, while Kyrgyzstan is stronger among Pot 4 teams. Still, these two sides are relatively close to China’s level, making the outcomes unpredictable. In contrast, several World Cup-bound teams were in Pot 2, and drawing them would have significantly complicated China’s path to the knockout stages.
The Asian Cup expanded from 16 to 24 teams starting in 2019. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advance to the round of 16. Despite the seemingly manageable group, Shao Jiayi remained cautious. He pointed out that given China’s current overall strength, the team cannot yet afford to challenge strong opponents head-on. Therefore, regardless of the group composition, China will face severe tests from Asia’s elite.
“Iran has been a traditional powerhouse in Asia for decades and a regular at the World Cup. Syria, whether in the Asian Cup or World Cup qualifiers, has shown consistent performance and steady improvement. Kyrgyzstan has also made clear progress, having qualified for major tournaments in the past two editions. So for us, this is a very challenging group. However, I believe that with six or seven months of systematic preparation, we will be fully ready to give our best in the Asian Cup,” Shao Jiayi stated.
Although China avoided four World Cup-bound teams from Pot 2, the opponents in Group C—Iran, Syria, and Kyrgyzstan—are all physically strong and technically capable. These “power-oriented” teams are precisely the type that China historically struggles against. When asked about countering such opponents, Shao Jiayi emphasized facing reality head-on. He believes that to advance from the group stage, China must confront these robust teams directly. “First, we need to honestly acknowledge our shortcomings in physical confrontation and athleticism. Then, we must find our own way out—relying on collective team work, seamless tactical coordination, and systematic play to compensate for individual deficiencies. We need to use a team-oriented approach to counter power-oriented opponents.”
Shao Jiayi also revealed that from June onward, the national team will hold training camps and friendly matches in June, September, October, and November. By December, the team will enter a focused preparation phase for the Asian Cup, gradually fine-tuning the squad and tactics. “The upcoming international friendlies and training sessions will be more targeted. During this preparation cycle, we will specifically mirror the playing styles and physical attributes of our group opponents, deliberately seeking similar power-oriented teams for practice matches. This will help us adapt to the intensity and tempo of competition, providing practical experience for the Asian Cup.”
Despite setbacks in World Cup qualifiers, China has a strong history in the Asian Cup. Since making its debut in 1976, the team has participated in every edition up to 2027—14 consecutive tournaments, a streak surpassed only by Iran and South Korea (16 each). China has twice finished as runners-up and twice as third-place finishers. In this group, as long as the team avoids previous mistakes, a spot in the round of 16 or even the quarterfinals is a realistic goal next year.