Wei Shihao omitted from China squad for World Cup qualifiers

Left winger Wei Shihao has been excluded from China's roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. This decision comes after he received a four-match ban for a foul he committed during a Chinese Super League match.

Wei, a contender for China's Player of the Year award in 2023, received the suspension for a petulant kick from behind on Deng Hanwen while playing for Chengdu Rongcheng against his former club Wuhan Three Towns in the CSL last month.

He was the only notable absentee from Branko Ivankovic's 27-man squad for the Group C qualifier against Japan in Saitama on Sept. 5 and the home clash with the Saudis in Dalian five days later.

Croatian Ivankovic included three naturalised players, English-born defender Tyias Browning, former Fluminense striker Alan and winger Fernandinho, who was also born and raised in Brazil.

Group C of the third round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada also includes Australia, Bahrain and Indonesia.

China will need to finish in the top two to guarantee a ticket to the World Cup finals for a second time after 2002, although a spot in the top four would offer a passage to the tournament via two further rounds of qualifiers.