Chinese national football team Photo: VCG

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced the training squads for both the senior men's national team and the under-23 side on Monday and Tuesday, as both units gear up for crucial warm-up tournaments amid a pivotal transitional phase in Chinese football. 

The senior team, set to compete in the East Asian Football Championship after being eliminated from World Cup qualification, and the U23 squad, preparing for the U23 Asian Cup and the Asian Games in 2026, have unveiled rosters that highlight a blend of experience and youth.

Unveiled on Monday, the senior team's 26-man squad for the East Asian Championship marks the first major assignment under interim head coach Dejan Djurdjevic, who stepped up from his role as former U20 manager. 

The team will gather in Dalian on Wednesday before departing for South Korea to compete in the tournament from July 7 to 15. 

China will start their campaign by taking on hosts South Korea in the opening match on July 7, followed by the Japanese team on July 12 and the Hong Kong team on July 15.

Notable in the roster is a deliberate mix of veterans and fresh faces. 

Goalkeeper Yan Junling, defender Gao Zhunyi, forwards Wei Shihao and Zhang Yuning, all veterans of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, return to the national team. Their inclusion contrasts with the absence of seasoned players like keeper Wang Dalei, who previously implied he plans to retire from the national team due to age.  

The squad also introduces promising youngsters making their senior debuts, including midfielders Kuai Jiwen and Yu Jinyong, and defenders Liao Jintao and Xue Qinghao. 

"This roster balances experience with the need to bring in new talent, reflecting the CFA has a long-term strategic plan for the 2030 World Cup qualifiers and immediate tournament objectives," Sun Yuxuan, a Beijing-based football commentator, told the Global Times. 

"While players born before 1995 are theoretically in the twilight of their international careers, key figures from the 1995-98 age groups still play vital roles, especially for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup preparation, the next major competition for the national team." 

The East Asian Championship could help secure vital FIFA ranking points thus aid future tournament seedings for the national team and building confidence among a squad in transition, Sun added. 

"Beyond results, the tournament is a platform to test combinations and integrate young players into the senior setup," Sun said.

Djurdjevic's temporary appointment comes as the CFA searches for a permanent successor to Branko Ivankovic, who was sacked after the national team's elimination in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. 

The senior national team squad also includes rising stars like forwards Wang Yudong of Zhejiang FC and Liu Chengyu of Shanghai Shenhua. 

Led by Spaniard Antonio Puche, the U23 team is preparing for their 2026 campaigns: the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup and the Nagoya Asian Games.

The U23 roster features several players who have impressed in domestic leagues, including forwards Asqer Afrden and Tao Qianglong, as well as defenders Liu Haofan and Zhu Pengyu. 

The concurrent training camps for both teams in Dalian underscore the CFA's intent to maximize preparation during the Chinese Super League break, even though the league's mid-season pause does not align with international windows. 

The East Asian Cup is a test for Djurdjevic's tactical philosophy and the young players' adaptability to international competitions. The CFA has said it has started the searching for a permanent head coach for the national team after Branko Ivankovic's departure.