Chinese football unlikely to make breakthrough in next 10 years: former player

China are at the bottom of Group C in the third round of Asia's 2026 World Cup qualifiers, having earned six points like Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, but trailing on goal difference. The team are one point behind second-place Australia, keeping their World Cup hopes alive.

However, Ou argues that even if China qualify, they will not become one of Asia's top teams. Rather than chasing short-term success, he believes Chinese football should take a step back and focus on long-term development.

"We should spend the next 10 years fixing existing problems so that qualifying for the World Cup becomes standard," Ou told Dongqiudi on March 17. "In the next five to ten years, I don't expect the national team to make any major breakthroughs. I only hope we can build a solid training structure that improves our players' technical abilities."

Former Chinese national team goalkeeper Ou Chuliang. Photo by CFA

Ou, 57, played 75 matches for China from 1992 to 2002 and was part of the squad at the 2002 World Cup, the only time China have qualified. He later served as the national team's goalkeeping coach from 2008 to 2016.

He believes Chinese players lack unique qualities compared to other top Asian football nations. Some talents have had their moments, but they struggle to maintain consistency.

"Football requires constant improvement," he said. "Every day, every minute, every second on the field, players must push themselves harder and harder to reach excellence."

China recently called up 27 players for upcoming qualifiers against hosts Saudi Arabia on March 20 (local time) and Australia on March 25. All play in China's domestic leagues. The most notable inclusion is naturalized Brazilian-born midfielder Serginho. He and English-born center-back Tyias Browning are the two naturalized players in the squad.

Members of China national football team are disappointed after losing FIFA World Cup Qualification Final Round match against Japan at Saitama Stadium in Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture on Sept. 5, 2024. Photo by Reuters

Serginho played for several Brazilian clubs, including Santos, Vitoria, and America Mineiro, before moving to Japan's Kashima Antlers. In 2020, he joined China's Changchun Yatai, scoring 30 goals in 100 matches. While Serginho made the squad, head coach Branko Ivankovic left out three other naturalized Brazilian players: Elkeson, Alan, and Fernandinho.

"Naturalized players give the coach more choices and strengthen the team," Ou told Dongqiudi. "The coaching staff’s data shows these players have improved significantly with more extensive training."

However, Ou noted that not all naturalized players maintain their peak form, with some returning out of shape after a two-month break. "Fans don't notice these issues," he said. "They just assume naturalized players are top-level talents and expect a lot from them."