In a decisive Group B final match of the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup on May 13 at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, China’s U17 men’s national team defeated Qatar 2-0 to clinch a spot in the tournament quarterfinals and, more importantly, secured qualification for the FIFA U17 World Cup for the first time since 2005.
He Sifan opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a curling shot from inside the box, giving China a 1-0 lead at halftime. Substitute Zhang Bolin doubled the advantage in the 70th minute with a powerful header, sealing the 2-0 victory.
With this result, China finished third in Group B with three points from one win and two losses. However, due to a superior goal difference in the three-way tie with Qatar and Indonesia, China advanced as the group runner-up, thus securing the U17 World Cup berth.
The achievement marks a historic milestone for Chinese men’s football, as it ends a 21-year absence from any FIFA world-level youth or senior tournament—the longest drought since the U17 team last competed in the 2005 Peru U17 World Cup and the U20 team played in the 2005 Netherlands U20 World Cup.
Key moments from the match included Zhao Songyuan’s powerful long-range effort saved by Qatar’s goalkeeper Bakri in the 12th minute, He Sifan’s 21st-minute shot parried away, and Zhang Bolin’s missed one-on-one chance in the 61st minute. China’s starting lineup featured Qin Ziniu in goal, Jin Yucheng, Nan Zixun, Li Junpeng, Zhang Xuyao, Zhou Yunuo, He Sifan, Pan Chaowei, Shuai Weihao, Zhao Songyuan, and Wan Xiang.
