DOHA: China’s faint hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup finals in Russia finally ended on Tuesday, despite securing the victory they needed in Qatar.
Syria’s draw in Iran and Uzbekistan’s draw with South Korea meant that two late goals to secure a 2-1 win in Doha were ultimately futile in China’s desperate bid to snatch a play-off place for next year’s tournament.
China rallied after falling behind early in the second half and even overcame the sending-off of their captain Zheng Zhi.
Akrim Afif put the home side ahead in the 46th minute, scoring from close range.
But the visitors equalized in the 74th minute when Xiao Zhi powered home.
Any chance of a win seemed remote however just six minutes later when Zheng was red-carded after he fouled Afif, who was clean through on China’s goal.
But just two minutes later substitute Wu Lei scored to give China the lead and set up a dramatic finale.
Results elsewhere though meant that China had failed to qualify for Russia, while it was also another desperate night for Qatar.
Defeat meant they finished bottom of the Group A table.
The match was also played in a near-empty Khalifa stadium, the first international to be played in a revamped venue that will be used during the 2022 World Cup finals.
China out of World Cup despite victory over Qatar
China out of World Cup despite victory over Qatar
World Cup flight, hotel bookings spike although US violence casts shadow
- Of the bookings made for the time frame of the tournament, 37 percent were in the month since the draw
- The data does not show whether more recent immigration raids in the US have had an impact on 2026 bookings
LONDON: Flight bookings to North America have spiked since the soccer World Cup match schedule was announced in December, data from travel technology firm Amadeus showed on Tuesday, with 18 percent of those reservations made by British travelers.
European travel to the United States has dipped since President Donald Trump’s election in November 2024, with many tourists deterred by greater scrutiny at border crossings.
Although a recent rise in violence tied to ICE detentions in the city of Minneapolis has amplified fears among some, data from World Cup watchers and Amadeus show that bookings are up, particularly among England and Scotland fans.
Of the bookings made for the time frame of the tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 37 percent were in the month since the draw.
However, the data does not show whether more recent immigration raids in the US have had an impact on 2026 bookings. And a major sports event does not guarantee a travel boost to the host country, as shown by the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“The tournament is a chance to see the most talented football players in the world and fans will go almost anywhere to watch the finest, whatever the policies and politics of the host country,” said travel analyst Paul Charles.
“However, safety is a key factor too, so visitors will be hoping that calm prevails in host cities and that their travel insurance will remain valid for their planned trips in June and July,” added Charles, who is CEO of consultancy The PC Agency.
The largest spike of bookings per day was seen for the first match in New York City between Brazil and Morocco, with over 2,500 flight bookings, the Amadeus data shows.
Hotel bookings in Canada and Mexico have also risen, with the average occupancy of hotels in Mexico City on the nights ahead of three planned matches there at 21 percent, up from 4 percent for the same time last year.
