The Chinese men's national football team is finalizing preparations for their last Asian World Cup qualifying match against Bahrain, set to take place on Tuesday in Chongqing.

With their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup extinguished following a defeat to Indonesia, the team is now focused on securing a win to avoid finishing at the bottom of their qualifying group.

Head coach Branko Ivankovic has underscored the significance of the upcoming match, asserting that the team aims to dedicate their performance to the dedicated fans who have supported them throughout the campaign.

At a pre-match press conference, Ivankovic remarked, "Our goal in this match is to get a victory.

We want to dedicate it to the fans.

They have shown us tremendous support and love for our national team.

We must reflect that on the field and finish our World Cup qualifying campaign the right way."

Despite the team's elimination from contention, interest in the match remains high, with ticket sales reaching full capacity at the Chongqing Longxing Stadium shortly after they became available.

Speculation surrounds Ivankovic’s future as coach, particularly in light of the team’s recent struggles.

However, he clarified that his position hinges on ongoing discussions with the Chinese Football Association rather than a preemptive decision.

"Whether this is my last match in charge depends on communication with the CFA.

We are preparing wholeheartedly for the match.

After the qualifiers end, performances will be carefully analyzed, and then I believe the CFA will make a decision," he stated.

The team is facing significant challenges, including injuries to several key players.

Defender Hu Hetao suffered a knee injury during the match against Indonesia, while center back Zhu Chenjie has exited the squad due to a muscle issue.

Wing back Cao Yongjing is also sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Notable striker Wu Lei remains out due to long-term health concerns.

In response to these issues, the coaching staff has added Hou Yongyong and Liu Zhurun to the final 23-player roster, emphasizing their readiness to compete despite the setbacks.

Veteran goalkeeper Wang Dalei has indicated that the upcoming match may mark the end of his international career after 20 years since his first appearance in 2006. He expressed pride in his journey, stating, "I've worked with many coaches, teammates, and mentors, and learned a lot - not always necessarily winning.

For this last qualifier, I hope to impart something useful to the younger players, to help them carry on that spirit."

Wang also highlighted the importance of team unity, reflecting on the lessons learned throughout the campaign.

He emphasized, "We leave behind the useful things, the unity, the effort - and we remove what isn't good."

The current qualifying campaign represents a transitional period for the Chinese national team, with Ivankovic overseeing the integration of younger players into the squad.

He noted the promising development of players such as Xie Wenneng, Hu Hetao, Baihelamu, Liu Chengyu, and Wang Yudong, who are seen as vital to the future of Chinese football.

Despite the disappointment of not qualifying, Ivankovic maintains a forward-looking perspective, asserting that the team must approach the match against Bahrain with a positive mindset.

"Every loss is heavy, but we must turn the page and approach Bahrain positively, both physically and mentally," he concluded.