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China has kept its 2026 World Cup hopes alive by the narrowest of margins despite a 1-0 loss to South Korea. China advanced to Asia's third qualification round because Thailand, needing to beat Singapore by three goals, only won 3-1. South Korea finished the second round of Asian qualification unbeaten atop Group C and remains on course for an 11th straight World Cup appearance. China needed a draw to ensure second place in the group but was forced to wait and hope that Singapore could avoid a three-goal loss at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. China's only appearance in the men's World Cup was in 2002.
