Indonesian newspaper extremely upset by news that Chinese team will replace Iran in 2026 World Cup

Chinese media has just made a very strange and absurd statement, that the country's team still has a chance to participate in the 2026 World Cup, if the Iranian team is eliminated and revoked the right to participate, according to CNN Indonesia.

The unbelievable reason for China to participate in the 2026 World Cup

Accordingly, Sohu (China) believes that in case the Iranian team is eliminated due to reasons related to the current political situation in the Middle East, this slot should be given priority to teams in Asia. Specifically, the Chinese team will be 1 of 2 candidates to replace it, because it is the team with the highest score among the teams eliminated in the third qualifying round of the Asian region, along with the Palestinian team.

Indonesia defeated the Chinese team 1-0 on June 5 to continue to conquer the dream of participating in the 2026 World Cup.

Photo: Reuters

In the third qualifying round of the Asian region, the Chinese team was eliminated after losing 0-1 to Indonesia on June 5. They only won 9 points after 10 matches, ranked 5th in Group C, leaving Indonesia and Saudi Arabia to take the 3rd and 4th places in the fourth qualifying round. Meanwhile, the 2 teams Japan and Australia won 2 official spots to the 2026 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Iran, who finished top of Group A, and Uzbekistan, secured two tickets to the finals. UAE and Qatar advanced to the fourth qualifying round. In Group B, South Korea and Jordan secured two tickets to the finals, while Iraq and Oman advanced to the fourth qualifying round. Palestine were eliminated, but with 10 points, they also ranked above China, among the six teams eliminated in the third qualifying round.

"Obviously, the intention of the Chinese press is too strange and has no convincing elements. It is extremely absurd and strange. Because, even if the Iranian team is really eliminated, FIFA and AFC have no reasonable reason to give opportunities to teams that were eliminated from the third qualifying round, including the Chinese team.

In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia, there are still 6 teams participating in the fourth qualifying round competing for the remaining 2 official tickets. If the Iranian team is eliminated, FIFA and AFC may increase this round to a third direct ticket to the finals, which may be more reasonable. Therefore, the Chinese team has no reason to be a candidate to replace the Iranian team," CNN Indonesia expressed and emphasized before the information from Sohu page.

The Indonesian team (in white) faces a huge challenge in the fourth qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia, because they will compete in Qatar or Saudi Arabia.

Photo: Reuters

CNN Indonesia also said: "In the fourth qualifying round, the remaining two official tickets will be competed for, with the two teams finishing first in each group competing for a place in the 2026 World Cup. The two teams finishing second in each group will compete in a play-off match to compete for the third ticket to replace Iran, instead of a place in the Intercontinental play-off round.

However, these are just possibilities, in case Iran is eliminated. But so far, FIFA has not commented on it. This means that Iran's place in the 2026 World Cup will not be affected. Meanwhile, the draw for the group stage will not take place until December this year and the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada will take place almost a year from now."

In addition, according to European press, such as the Guardian , FIFA could completely set a special rule for the Iranian team, that they will be placed in Group A with co-host Mexico at the 2026 World Cup. This case is to avoid the Iranian team and its fans from not being able to go to the US because of the travel ban there. While the other two co-host countries, Mexico and Canada, do not have any bans on the Iranian team and fans.

By applying this special rule, FIFA could follow the example of UEFA separating all Russian and Ukrainian clubs, or Ukraine and Belarus into different groups at the European Cup draw, to avoid tensions due to the political situation in these countries, according to CNN Indonesia.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bao-indonesia-bat-binh-cuc-do-vi-co-tin-doi-trung-quoc-thay-iran-du-world-cup-2026-185250625092938588.htm