China's World Cup hopes decline after loss to Australia

China's aspirations for direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup suffered a significant setback following a 2-0 defeat against Australia. This loss leaves China at the bottom of their qualifying group, needing to secure a fourth-place finish to advance to the next round. The national team's struggles reflect a broader decline in Chinese soccer, which once aimed to become a continental powerhouse by 2030 but is now confronting financial challenges and a struggling domestic league. With only two matches remaining against Indonesia and Bahrain, the pressure is mounting for Coach Branko Ivankovic, who will be without key players due to injuries and suspensions. Despite the disappointing performance, there remains a slight glimmer of hope as Asia now has more World Cup spots available. China's only World Cup appearance came in 2002, and the team is desperate to rewrite its history in the sport.