RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Chinese soccer fans have arrived in Saudi Arabia to support their national team as it prepares for a crucial World Cup qualifying match against Saudi Arabia later on March 20.
China, which has rebounded from a dismal start of three consecutive defeats, arrived in the country on Monday after a two-week training session in Dubai. Meanwhile, fans from China and other parts of the world continued to pour in, eager to create a strong "12th man" presence for the team in the seventh-round match of Group C in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"The majority of the group arrived on March 17," said Wu Weiming, secretary-general of the Chinese soccer fan organization "Dragon Team." "Whether flying direct or with layovers, the journey takes at least a dozen hours. Including the time spent at the airport beforehand, most fans spend an entire day traveling."
Despite the long journey, enthusiasm remains high. The "Dragon Team" secured 1,500 match tickets through a group purchase with the Saudi Football Federation. The buyers include both traveling fans from China and overseas Chinese residents in Saudi Arabia. Many others purchased tickets individually through the official website, including fans traveling from nearby countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
With the match set for 9:15 p.m. on Thursday, the number of Chinese supporters at the stadium is expected to exceed 2,000.
"I found that tickets on the official website appear to be sold out," Wu said. "In local fan groups, people are still asking about tickets every day. Many fans haven't been able to buy one yet."
Compared to China's away match against Bahrain last November, the number of traveling fans has increased significantly. Wu recalled that only about 500 Chinese fans attended that game, with just over 200 coming from China. For this match, four to five hundred fans have traveled from China alone, pushing the estimated total beyond 2,000.
Wu believes the rise in fan turnout signals a shift in public sentiment toward the national team. "We can sense that online discussions about Chinese soccer are improving," he said. "It's not just criticism anymore - there's more support and positive energy. This shows that the national team, through its efforts and performances, is gradually changing public opinion."
China faces a tough challenge against Saudi Arabia, a team ranked higher in the world and considered the stronger side. But Wu said fans remain optimistic and committed to supporting the team.
"We know Saudi Arabia is stronger than us, but in soccer, the better team doesn't always win," he said. "As long as our players follow the coach's tactical plan, I believe we have a chance to get points. Of course, no matter the result, we will stand by our team." ■
