Super goalkeeper Li Hao is excluded, will not compete against Vietnam U23 in the international tournament.

Goalkeeper Li Hao will not participate in the CFA Team China - Xi'an 2026 international friendly tournament due to injury.

The news that goalkeeper Li Hao will not be present in the roster of the Chinese U23 national team participating in the Xi'an 2026 international friendly tournament has drawn attention from public opinion in the country, especially since the tournament features formidable opponents such as Thailand U23, Vietnam U23, and North Korea U23. However, contrary to earlier speculation, the main reason for Li Hao's absence is confirmed to be injury.

According to Sohu, Li Hao sustained an injury just before the training camp, forcing the coaching staff to decide not to call him up to ensure the player's long-term safety. This is also why he is simultaneously not included in the roster of the Chinese national team preparing for the upcoming Asian Cup.

"Li Hao, who led the national U23 team to a runner-up position in the Asian Cup, is not called up to the national team this time due to injury," Sohu wrote.

The absence of Li Hao still leaves considerable regret. This goalkeeper is regarded as one of the biggest discoveries in Chinese football recently, especially after his brilliant performance at the 2026 U23 Asian Cup finals.

In this tournament, Li Hao played all 6 matches fully, kept a clean sheet 5 times, and made a total of 33 saves - an impressive achievement. On numerous occasions, he became a solid barrier, helping China U23 withstand heavy pressure from strong opponents. Li Hao's excellence played a crucial role in leading the team to the final and securing the runner-up position – their best-ever result in the history of participating in the U23 Asian Cup.

With quick reflexes, good situational reading ability, and stable competitive mentality, Li Hao has been evaluated by many experts and fans as a strong candidate for the national team's number one goalkeeper position in the future.