The congested schedule of the Chinese top league has left the Chinese players in good shape to face Thailand in a crucial World Cup qualifier, said Chinese midfielder Wei Shihao.

Branko Ivankovic (6th L), head coach of the Chinese men's national football team, reacts during a training session in preparation for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers match in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

The Chinese side has set up a training camp in Shenyang, Liaoning province, where they will play Thailand on June 5 in a World Cup qualifying tie. The winners will have the chance to qualify for the final round of Asian World Cup qualifiers.

"This is a really important match for us, as it will mean the end of our campaign if we fail to win," Wei said after the Chinese squad's first day of training in Shenyang on Tuesday.

He noted that the Chinese players are in good form coming off a hectic mid-season Chinese Super League schedule.

"We had a very tight playing schedule over the past two months, sometimes having to play twice a week," he said.

"So we are rather physically tired, but for the players, they can only maintain good form through more games," he added. 

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