Branko Faces Major Setback as Wu Lei Injured Before Qualifiers
Branko's China faces a serious challenge with star player Wu Lei sidelined by injury, jeopardizing their World Cup qualifying chances.
Branko, the manager of the Chinese national football team, is grappling with a significant setback as Wu Lei, one of China's brightest stars, will be absent for the crucial World Cup qualifiers due to an injury. Wu Lei, a key player for both Shanghai SIPG and the national team, has been forced to undergo knee surgery and is expected to be sidelined for 8 to 10 weeks.
This injury comes at a critical time, with China set to face Saudi Arabia and Australia in March 2026 for World Cup qualification matches. Wu Lei’s absence could severely undermine the team’s chances, as he has been instrumental in their attack and is one of the most experienced players in the squad.
Reports from Chinese media indicate that Wu Lei will be out of action until at least the end of May 2025, making him highly unlikely to play in the vital qualifiers. His absence leaves a massive hole in China’s offensive line, where his leadership and goal-scoring ability have been crucial in the past.
The injury to Wu Lei is particularly devastating as he has been a consistent performer for both his club and country. Having earned 99 caps for the national team and scored 36 goals, Wu Lei is regarded as one of China’s most talented players and a crucial figure for their World Cup aspirations. His ability to change the game with his speed, skill, and intelligence on the ball will be sorely missed during the qualifiers.
While Zhang Wenning has shown promise, the loss of Wu Lei is a blow to China’s chances of securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup. Branko and his team will now need to regroup and find a way to overcome this challenge, relying on other players to step up in Wu Lei’s absence. With the team facing difficult opponents, the pressure is mounting for the national team to rise to the occasion without their star forward.
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