China unveils 31-man squad for final round of 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian zone qualifiers

BEIJING - The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has announced a 31-man squad here on Thursday to prepare for the final round of 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian zone qualifiers, with several youngsters selected for the first time.

The 22-year-old Guo Tianyu from Shandong Luneng, who scored eight goals in the Chinese Super League (CSL) this season, is expected to make his international debut for Team China. Head coach Li Tie also called up other new young faces such as Xu Xin, Zhu Chenjie and Gao Zhunyi into his squad.

The CSL powerhouse Guangzhou FC has eight players listed in the roster including four naturalized players: Ai Kesen, Alan, Jiang Guangtai, Luo Guofu.

Star forward Wu Lei, who plays for La Liga's Espanyol, is the only listed player in the national squad from the top five European leagues.

Coach Li and most of players will assemble on August 17 in Shanghai for training, while Wu Lei will join his teammates on August 26.

The Chinese team will play their first away match against Australia on September 2 and then meet Japan at home five days later. Since Australia and China have not announced the host cities yet due to domestic epidemic prevention and control policies, the first two matches of Team China might move to a neutral stadium in Doha, Qatar reportedly.

The 31-man roster is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Liu Dianzuo, Yan Junling, Wang Dalei, Dong Chunyu;

Defenders: Jiang Guangtai, Zhang Linpeng, Gao Zhunyi, Yu Dabao, Li Lei, Wang Gang, Wang Shenchao, Li Ang, Zhu Chenjie;

Midfielders: Zhang Xizhe, Chi Zhongguo, Jin Jingdao, Wu Xinghan, Liu Binbin, Xu Xin, Wu Xi, Yin Hongbo, Wang Qiuming, Hao Junmin;

Forwards: Ai Kesen, Alan, Wei Shihao, Luo Guofu, Zhang Yuning, Guo Tianyu, Ba Dun, Wu Lei. Enditem