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FIFA U-17 World Cup
Reaching the final of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ would have given the East Asian side confidence that they have what it takes to challenge on the world stage.
Factfile
Previous appearances: 6
Best finish: Quarter-finals (1985, 2005)
2025 Result: Did not qualify
How they qualified: AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ runners-up
Head coach: Bin Ukishima
Group H Fixtures - Nov 20 v Spain; Nov 23 v Morocco; Nov 26 v Fiji
Fun fact: China PR’s last appearance in 2005 was ended by Turkiye in the quarter-finals
Previous appearances: 6
Best finish: Quarter-finals (1985, 2005)
2025 Result: Did not qualify
How they qualified: AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ runners-up
Head coach: Bin Ukishima
Group H Fixtures - Nov 20 v Spain; Nov 23 v Morocco; Nov 26 v Fiji
Fun fact: China PR’s last appearance in 2005 was ended by Turkiye in the quarter-finals
What Bin Ukishima’s side showed at Saudi Arabia 2026 was an overdose of resilience, having started their group stage campaign with defeats to Indonesia and Japan leaving them staring at an early exit.
A 2-0 victory over Qatar, however, sealed their progression into the knockout stage and China PR went from strength to strength as they defeated Saudi Arabia 3-1 in the quarter-finals and Australia 2-0 in the semi-finals.
A 2-0 victory over Qatar, however, sealed their progression into the knockout stage and China PR went from strength to strength as they defeated Saudi Arabia 3-1 in the quarter-finals and Australia 2-0 in the semi-finals.
#U17AC - Final: China PR 2-3 Japan
It was a rematch against Japan in the final and unlike the group stage, China PR gave Japan a good fight before eventually losing 3-2.
Zhao Songyuan, Wan Xiang and He Sifan - who scored seven goals between them at Saudi Arabia 2026 - will lead a strong-looking China PR for their challenge at Qatar 2026.
Ukishima knows that there won’t be a chance for China PR to recover if they start slowly again, making the opening tie against Spain vital if they are to go far in the tournament.
Zhao Songyuan, Wan Xiang and He Sifan - who scored seven goals between them at Saudi Arabia 2026 - will lead a strong-looking China PR for their challenge at Qatar 2026.
Ukishima knows that there won’t be a chance for China PR to recover if they start slowly again, making the opening tie against Spain vital if they are to go far in the tournament.
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