China’s national team goalkeeper Wang Dalei has announced his retirement from international duty after the team’s early exit from the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers—capping a turbulent campaign that has left China’s football in uncharted waters: for the first time in history, Thailand have leapfrogged them in the latest FIFA Rankings.

At 35, Wang’s emotional farewell at the pre-match press conference ahead of China’s clash with Bahrain in Chongqing carried the weight of nearly two decades in the national set-up. “From my first call-up in 2006 to now, I’ve learned so much from so many coaches and teammates, but I’ve never really tasted success,” he said, holding back tears. “I hope to leave behind something useful for the younger players, and take away all the bad things with me.”

China’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup were extinguished following a 1-0 defeat to Indonesia in Jakarta on 5 June, a result that not only sealed their exit but also triggered a historic tumble down the FIFA Rankings. According to the latest calculations, China dropped to 99th in the world—overtaken for the first time ever by Thailand, who climbed to 98th after beating India in a friendly.

The shockwaves of this result extend beyond missing out on the World Cup. China’s slide means they could find themselves in the third pot for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup draw, facing a tougher path to the knockout stages. “This could be the most damaging setback Chinese football has suffered since the FIFA Rankings were introduced in 1992,” local media outlets warned.

Head coach Branko Ivanković remains defiant, insisting the team will fight to salvage pride against Bahrain despite injuries and suspensions to key players. “We are determined to win this match for our fans who have supported us tirelessly,” he said. But the scars of another failed campaign—and a first-ever slip below Thailand in the FIFA ladder—will take time to heal.

With Chinese football at a crossroads, Wang’s tearful goodbye symbolises both the end of an era and a stark reminder of how far the team has fallen. Only time will tell if his final message of unity and hope resonates with the next generation of players.