bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

China have included Brazil-born midfielder Serginho in their squad for crucial World Cup qualifiers, less than a week after he obtained Chinese citizenship.
In recent years China’s struggling national team have followed some other countries by turning to naturalised players, with limited impact on results.
Also named in Branko Ivankovic’s 27-man squad is Liverpool-born former England youth international defender Tyias Browning, now called Jiang Guangtai.
Serginho, known in China as Sai Erjiniao, obtained citizenship on March 12 and played his first minutes for the national team in a closed-doors friendly against Kuwait on Sunday, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The 30-year-old, whose birth name is Sergio Oliveira, has played in China since 2020.

China are away at Saudi Arabia on Thursday and home to Australia on Tuesday next week as they battle to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
They are bottom of their group on six points but trail Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain only on goal difference, with Australia one point ahead. Japan lead the group on 16 points.
The top two will qualify automatically while the third- and fourth-placed teams enter another qualifying round.
Serginho began his senior career at Brazilian club Santos, before moving to Japan’s Kashima Antlers in 2018.
He joined Changchun Yatai in 2020, scoring 30 goals in 100 appearances, before leaving for their Chinese Super League rivals Beijing Guoan in February.

Teenage prospects Wang Yudong and Liu Chengyu are also in the squad selected by Croatian head coach Ivankovic.
Brazil-born players Elkeson, Alan and Fernandinho, who had been regular performers for China, were not included in the latest squad.
China are ranked 90th in the world and have qualified for the World Cup only once, in 2002, when they failed to earn a point or score a goal.


Fifa World Cup 2026: China call up Brazil-born midfielder Serginho for vital qualifiers

Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad contains Marcus Rashford, Jordan Henderson

Fifa World Cup 2026: Son Heung-min must forget his Tottenham woes, says South Korea coach

Macau head coach and new reality TV star Kwok says Hong Kong post is his ‘ideal job’

Fifa

Serginho (left) in action for Kashima Antlers against Vissel Kobe’s Andres Iniesta during the 2020 Emperor’s Cup final in Tokyo. Photo: AP

Another naturalised China player is Jiang Guangtai (left), who was born in Liverpool, England. Photo: AP

Teenager Liu Chengyu (left) has also been named for the matches against Saudi Arabia and Australia. Photo: Xinhua

Bournemouth goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (right) brings down Son Heung-Min, resulting in a penalty kick for Spurs, in their match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. Photo: AP

Son’s successful penalty rescues a point for Spurs in their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. Photo: dpa

Son (centre) helped South Korea to a 1-0 World Cup qualifier win over China last June. Photo: Xinhua

Wang Chuqin overcomes personal trauma to thrash Lin Shidong in WTT Championships final

Sun Yingsha (left) and Wang Chuqin hold their trophies aloft at WTT Championships the ceremony in  Chongqing. Photo: Xinhua

 Wang Chuqin hits a return during the men’s final against Lin Shidong. Photo: Xinhua

Women’s world No 1 Sun Yingsha (left) and Chen Xingtong during the award ceremony. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Football

Player known in China as Sai Erjiniao obtained citizenship on March 12 and played his first minutes for national team in a friendly on Sunday


Player known in China as Sai Erjiniao obtained citizenship on March 12 and played his first minutes for national team in a friendly on Sunday.


Fifa World Cup 2026