China vs Saudi Arabia: Excuses Start Early from Fans

Weather Excuses Emerging Over China vs Saudi Arabia Match

Chinese football fans are getting their excuses in early before their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, with blame being placed on the rain before the downpours even begin. A hashtag announcing that China's Group C game against Saudi Arabia at the Dalian Suoyuwan Football Stadium could be played in the rain has been trending on Weibo, with football fans debating whether the shower would benefit the national side.

• Despite China, ranked 87th in the world, having home advantage against World Cup regulars Saudi Arabia, who are 30 places ahead on FIFA’s table, fans appear to have convinced themselves that the weather will determine the outcome.
• In their first game in the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup – set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada – China faced a humiliating 7-0 loss to 18th-ranked Japan in Saitama.
• With the top two teams from Group C qualifying automatically for the World Cup, China's positioning as the second-lowest-ranked side in their group, which also includes Australia, Bahrain, and Indonesia, raises significant concerns.

Fan Reactions and Misguided Predictions

One Weibo user stated, “The national football team have lost this match because of the rain. Let’s think of the reason first.” Another user, anticipating the worst, quipped that even with only a goalkeeper on the opposition, the national team would not score. The ominous sentiment highlighted how fans are bracing for disappointment due to both weather conditions and team performance.