Beijing, China Mar 17(V7N) – China's national football team has added Brazilian-born midfielder Serginho to its squad for upcoming crucial World Cup qualifiers, just days after he received Chinese citizenship. This move underscores China's strategy of utilizing naturalized players to strengthen its struggling team.  

Serginho, known in China as Sai Erjiniao, obtained Chinese citizenship on March 12 and made his national team debut in a closed-door friendly against Kuwait. He joins Liverpool-born defender Tyias Browning, also known as Jiang Guangtai, a former England youth international, in the 27-man squad selected by head coach Branko Ivankovic.  

China faces critical matches against Saudi Arabia and Australia as they strive to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America. Currently at the bottom of their group with six points, they are closely trailing Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, with Australia just one point ahead. Japan leads the group.  

The top two teams in the group will secure automatic qualification, while the third and fourth-placed teams will advance to another qualifying round.  

Serginho, whose birth name is Sergio Oliveira, began his professional career at Brazilian club Santos before moving to Japan's Kashima Antlers. He has been playing in China since 2020, most recently joining Beijing Guoan.  

The squad also includes teenage prospects Wang Yudong and Liu Chengyu. Notably, Brazil-born players Elkeson, Alan, and Fernandinho, who were previously regular members of the Chinese national team, have been omitted from this selection.  

China, currently ranked 90th in the world, has only qualified for the World Cup once, in 2002, where they failed to score a goal or earn a point. The inclusion of Serginho reflects the team's determination to improve its performance and secure a spot in the upcoming World Cup.

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