World Cup Qualifying - Asia | Third Round

Mar 25, 2025 at 12am UK

China vs Australia

Match preview

While Australia will be looking for a sixth consecutive appearance at the World Cup, China will be dreaming of qualifying for only the second time since 2002.

They sailed through the second round of qualifying after finishing level on points, goal difference, goals scored and goals conceded with Thailand.

Their superior head-to-head record was enough to secure their place in the third phase, where they sit bottom of Group C after winning two and losing five of their seven matches.

Branko Ivankovic's side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, leaving them behind Bahrain and Indonesia on goal difference in the race for the extra qualifying round.

Having failed to win any of their previous three qualifiers against Australia, China will go into Tuesday's match hoping to secure a head-to-head victory in World Cup qualifying for the first time since June 2008.

Australia began their journey to 2026 in the second phase of qualifying, winning all six of their matches to progress to the third round, where they face a tougher test despite finishing in the top two.

Graham Arnold stepped down as head coach after overseeing a 1-0 loss to Bahrain and a goalless draw with Indonesia in the first two games of the third qualifying round.

Arnold's successor, Tony Popovic, got his side off to a winning start against China before three successive draws against Japan, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain ended the 2024 campaign.

Popovic will have been relieved to see his side return to winning ways in emphatic fashion against Indonesia at home on Thursday, with Jackson Irvine scoring a brace alongside goals from Martin Boyle, Nishan Velupillay and Lewis Miller in a dominant 5-1 win.

Australia, who sit just one point clear of third-placed Saudi Arabia, will now look to tighten their grip on second place with a first away win of the third round of qualifying.

Recent Performance

China World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:LLLWWL

Australia World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:LDWDDW

Team News

China are unable to call upon their second-highest goalscorer Wu Lei, who was left of Ivanovic's squad due to injury.

Lin Liangming is suspended following his red card in Thursday's contest, while Tyias Browning is a doubt after being forced off in the closing stages of the first half against Saudi Arabia.

Han Pengfei and Behram Abduweli could replace Lin and Browning respectively, and there may also be a place for right-back Yang Zexiang.

As for the visitors, forward Adam Taggart has withdrawn from the squad after picking up an injury in Thursday's win over Indonesia.

Kusini Yengi has also pulled out of the squad due to a minor hamstring problem, causing Australia to call up Mitch Duke as cover for Tuesday's game in China.

Brandon Borrello is in line to replace Taggart in the starting lineup, while there could also be a starting spot for Craig Goodwin if Boyle is not fit to start after picking up a minor injury issue on Thursday.

Possible starting lineup

China possible starting lineup:

D. Wang; Yang, S. Jiang, Han, L. Li; S. Wang, Xie; Wei, Cao, Abduweli; Zhang

Australia possible starting lineup:

Ryan; Geria, Burgess, Rowles; Miller, Irvine, O'Neill, Behich; Goodwin, Velupillay; Borrello