Saudi Arabia vs China Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (AFC)

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Saudi Arabia have struggled throughout this qualifying campaign but with a returning coach at the helm they will believe they will now improve as they take on a poor China side in Riyadh.

Kick-off date/time: Thursday 20th March, 2025: UK – 6:15pm / US ET – 2:15pm / US PT – 11:15am

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Bet365 & FIFA+ / US – FIFA+

Key Stats

• Saudi Arabia have lost only one of their last nine international matches against China PR (W5 D3).
• Saudi Arabia have lost only two of their last 27 World Cup qualifying matches in Saudi Arabia (W21 D4). However, they are without a win in the last four (D2 L2).
• Saudi Arabia have kept 14 clean sheets in their last 19 World Cup qualifying matches in Saudi Arabia.
• China PR have won only four of their last 19 World Cup qualifying matches (D5 L10). However, they did win two in a row prior to their 3-1 defeat against Japan in their most recent fixture.

Saudi Arabia vs China Prediction

The influx of cash into the Saudi Pro League sanctioned by the government should have helped Saudi Arabia achieve a lot more but they have declined on the pitch, although they should still win this one relatively comfortably against a poor Chinese side.

Roberto Mancini was the man at the helm of their underperformance since the 2022 FIFA World Cup but he has now been replaced by returning boss Herve Renard, after he was in charge of the French national women’s side. The Saudi Arabians have been poor but remain just a point behind Australia in the top two and the automatic qualifying spots.

China come into this one on the back of two victories and four defeats in their six matches during this qualifying campaign and that leaves themselves just a point off the aforementioned Australians. The Chinese most recently suffered a 3-1 loss at home to Japan in November and they have conceded 16 goals in their six games.

Saudi Arabia will be hoping to rediscover the form and spirit they had under Renard and, especially with their home advantage, they are firm favourites for this one.

Saudi Arabia vs China Tip: Saudi Arabia to win