China’s U17 national team secured a thrilling 2-0 victory over Qatar in the final group stage match of the 2026 U17 Asian Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on May 13 (local time). The win ensured China’s qualification for the U17 World Cup for the first time in 21 years, marking a historic return to global youth competition.
He Sifan opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a curling shot, giving China an early lead. Despite sustained pressure, Qatar’s goalkeeper Mohamed made several outstanding saves, keeping the score 1-0 at halftime. China maintained dominance in the second half, and substitute Zhang Bolin doubled the lead in the 70th minute with a powerful header from a free-kick.
China needed to win by at least two goals and relied on Japan defeating Indonesia in the other group match to have any hope of advancing. Japan’s 3-1 victory over Indonesia, coupled with China’s win, gave China a second-place finish on goal difference.
The team showed improved midfield organization compared to their previous games, using a combination of height and speed to pressure Qatar. However, defensive lapses in key moments nearly cost them, but goalkeeper Qin Ziniu’s saves kept Qatar at bay.
China’s last appearance at a FIFA youth world tournament was in 2005 when the U17 team, featuring players like Wang Dalei and Yang Xu, competed in Peru. Now, the team advances to the quarterfinals, where they will face host nation Saudi Arabia.
The qualification ends a long drought for Chinese men’s football, bringing renewed hope for the future.