The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has officially announced that Branko Ivanković will no longer serve as the head coach of the China National Men's Football Team.
With the conclusion of the Asian zone final 18 stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, as the Chinese men's national team failed to advance to the playoff stage, the coaching contract of Ivanković and his staff has been automatically terminated in accordance with the agreement. Following deliberation by the expert review panel, the CFA has decided that Branko Ivanković will no longer hold the position of head coach of the China National Men's Football Team.
The CFA expresses gratitude to Mr. Ivanković and his coaching staff for their hard work and contributions to Chinese football during their tenure, and wishes Mr. Ivanković all the best in his future work and life.
Aged 71, Ivanković took charge of the national team in February last year, leading the side in 14 matches with a record of 4 wins, 2 draws, and 8 losses. In the Asian final 18 qualification campaign, he guided the team to 3 wins, 7 losses, and 9 points, seeing them eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States one round prior to the conclusion of group stage.
