Can China build a competitive team for the 2023 Asian Cup?

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China Faces Significant Hurdles in Developing a Competitive 2023 Asian Cup Squad

China faces considerable challenges in assembling a competitive team for the 2023 Asian Cup, despite being awarded hosting rights. Recent performances by both the senior and youth national teams have highlighted a significant gap in talent and development, suggesting that substantial improvements are needed within a limited timeframe. The current focus on immediate qualification for the 2022 World Cup under returning coach Marcello Lippi, coupled with a perceived lack of established football culture, underscores the long-term nature of the development required.
Youth Development Lags Behind Ambitions

While the Chinese government, led by President Xi Jinping, harbors ambitions for the nation to host and win a World Cup, tangible results from current investments in youth football are not anticipated until after the 2023 Asian Cup. Coach Marcello Lippi has publicly stated that the necessary groundwork for player development should have commenced a decade to fifteen years prior. This indicates a systemic issue that current initiatives are attempting to address, but the impact will likely be gradual rather than immediate for the upcoming tournament.
Senior Team Performance Raises Concerns

The senior national team, currently ranked 74th in the world, has recently suffered home defeats to lower-ranked opponents such as Thailand and Uzbekistan. These results contributed to the departure of coach Fabio Cannavaro and the return of Marcello Lippi. Lippi's immediate objective is World Cup qualification, and he has noted that China needs to develop its own coaching staff and systems, pointing out the absence of robust youth programs when he first arrived in China in 2012.
Reliance on Short-Term Fixes and Aging Talent

The lack of emerging talent is further evidenced by the composition of the senior squad, which was noted as one of the oldest at the recent Asian Cup. Veteran midfielder Zheng Zhi, who will be 42 by the 2023 tournament, has been called up to the latest squad. As a measure to quickly bolster the team, China is also resorting to naturalising foreign-born players, such as Nico Yennaris, a strategy that offers a short-term solution rather than a sustainable development path.
Youth Teams Consistently Underperforming

Performances at the youth international level have been particularly concerning. China's under-18 team lost all three of their matches at the Panda Cup without scoring a single goal. Similarly, the Olympic team suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat against the Republic of Ireland at the Toulon youth tournament. These results suggest systemic issues in youth development, with one commentator attributing consistent losses to "inconsistency in selection at youth level," preventing the best prospects from developing cohesively.

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Can China build a competitive team for the 2023 Asian Cup?

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