BEIJING - China narrowly advanced into the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite losing to South Korea 1-0 away in Group C on Tuesday night.
After being held to a 1-1 draw by Thailand at home last week, China had to take at least one point in the final game of the second round against South Korea to survive, otherwise their fortunes would be decided by the result of the game between Thailand and Singapore.
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China managed to keep a clean sheet in the first half at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, but Lee Kang-in broke the deadlock for South Korea in the 61st minute as the PSG midfielder collected a loose ball inside the box and fired into the bottom right corner.
Lee Kang-in's sole goal in the second half at the Seoul World Cup Stadium shattered China's hope to control their own fate. Kicked off one and a half hours later, Thailand beat Singapore 3-1 at home.
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The results left both China and Thailand ending up with eight points from two wins, two draws and two losses, along with the same goal difference of zero and nine goals scored. But China managed to advance behind Group C winner South Korea with a better head-to-head record of one win and one draw against Thailand.
The draw for the third round of the World Cup Asian qualifiers will take place on June 27, as 18 teams will be divided into three groups, with top two of each group securing direct spots in the expanded 48-team World Cup, while the remaining two spots will be decided in the fourth round Asian qualifiers.
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China lost 1-0 to South Korea in Seoul on Tuesday night in their final game in Group C of the second round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With only two shots and none on target, China suffered another loss to South Korea, ending its Asian qualifier campaign second round with two wins, two draws and two losses.
