‘The Great Wall’ take on Japan in Jeddah in nation’s biggest match in years
Chinese players celebrate after winning the AFC U23 Asian Cup semifinal against Vietnam in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Jan. 20. © Getty Images
JOHN DUERDEN
January 24, 2026 08:24 JST
LONDON — Chinese soccer fans have had little to celebrate in recent years, but that changed this month as the country reached the final of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup. On Saturday, China will face Japan in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah, a match that will be watched by tens of millions back home.