China to start playing FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifying ties in Thailand due to coronavirus concerns

Team Dragon was originally scheduled to compete against the Maldives in Group A of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup Joint-Qualifiers second round on March 26 followed by a trip to Guam on March 31.

However, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic in Wuhan, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) was forced to move its home game against the Maldives to a neutral location and it seems that Thailand is willing to place them for the qualification tie.

CFA is also expected to invite Guam to play their home match in Thailand too as the United States have suspended entry of Chinese citizens to any of their territories due to fear of the coronavirus and the national team is expected Chinese will find it difficult to travel away. device.

According to Morning Post in South China, the Chang Arena of Buriram United will be used by China for their two World Cup qualifying matches.

The games are expected to be played closed doors without fans, but the final approval of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is pending.

China had also considered the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the venue for its games, but is said to have gone with the option of Thailand.

Syria currently leads Group A with 15 points in five games, while China is second with seven points from four matches. Philippines are third with seven from five matches while Maldives are fourth with six points. Guam are yet to open their account in the qualifiers.