China fails to qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeat to Indonesia

JAKARTA - China's hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup were extinguished on Thursday night following a 1-0 loss to Indonesia in its crucial Asian qualifying Group C match in Jakarta.

Just before the interval, China right-back Yang Zexiang fouled Indonesia's midfielder Ricky Kambuaya inside the penalty area. Oxford United forward Ole Romeny stepped up to convert the spot-kick past goalkeeper Wang Dalei in the 45th minute.

Despite opportunities from 18-year-old Wang Yudong, who tested Indonesia's goalkeeper in both halves, China failed to find an equalizer. Meanwhile, the visitor's task grew harder when defender Han Pengfei sustained a first-half injury.

With only one game remaining, China cannot finish in the top four of Group C. China now sits bottom of the group with six points from nine matches, while Indonesia climbs to third with 12 points. Only the top two teams in each six-team group will directly qualify for the World Cup, with third- and fourth-placed moving to another phase of qualifying.

Japan and Iran have already qualified from Asia for the 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.