Mbembo leads Cameroon's squad for match against China, with 12 first-time selections and core lineup remaining stable.

Written by Han Bing During the March international match window for the FIFA Series, China will face World Cup debutants Curaçao and African powerhouse Cameroon in Australia. On March 19, the Cameroon Football Federation announced its 26-player squad. Manchester United star Mbembo, valued at 80 million euros, leads the list, with 12 players having participated in the January Africa Cup of Nations. Chatchua and his club teammate Keben (Wolves), who missed the Africa Cup, are also included in this squad.

Similar to the January Africa Cup, Cameroon continues its squad rejuvenation. Veterans over 30 such as Choupo-Moting, Ngamaleu, Anguissa, Fae, Ngadeu, and Castelletto remain excluded, while forwards Nkoudou and Bassogo, who played in the Africa Cup, are also not on the list. Additionally, right-back Chamadeu (Stoke City), midfielder Jean Onana (Genoa), Njie (Rapid Vienna), midfielder Balepa (Brighton), and forward Magri (Toulouse) are absent due to injuries.

Among the 26 players, as many as 12 are first-time selections, but the Cameroon coach stated in a press conference that despite the many newcomers, the team's core lineup remains stable.

Cameroon reached the quarter-finals in the Africa Cup, losing 0-2 to host Morocco. Key players from that Africa Cup squad—goalkeeper Epas, center-backs Koto and Marone, defensive midfielder Awom, wing-back Yongwa, and the attacking trio Kofane, Namasso, and Mbembo—are all included in this squad, preserving the entire central axis with eight Africa Cup starters. Only three starters are missing: captain and defender Nou Tolo (Seattle Sounders), Balepa (Brighton), and right wing-back Chamadeu (Stoke City). Additionally, substitute wing-back Nagida and forward Eyong are also in the squad. Thus, the Cameroon team facing China in March retains at least the strength framework of an Africa Cup quarter-finalist.

The 12 newcomers are under close observation by Cameroon, eager to secure their place in the national team and will showcase their abilities fully. Meanwhile, Cameroon maintains its core lineup to ensure a stable transition during squad renewal. For China, this Cameroon team undoubtedly represents one of the strongest opponents in recent friendly matches.

On March 27, China will first face World Cup debutants Curaçao, which recently changed coaches, with Dutch coach Rutten replacing veteran Advocaat, who is caring for family. The Curaçao Football Federation announced its squad on March 9, with all 26 players based overseas. Compared to Cameroon, which retains its core framework but includes nearly half new players, Curaçao almost entirely retains the squad from last year's CONCACAF Gold Cup and World Cup qualifiers. Nineteen players participated in the Gold Cup, and from the 24-player squad for last November's qualifiers, only forward Paulina (Düsseldorf, Bundesliga 2) is missing from this FIFA Series squad.

The three new selections are midfielder Felida (Den Bosch, Eerste Divisie), forward Locadia (Miami FC), and Kuvas (Volendam, Eredivisie). However, all three were naturalized earlier; only 22-year-old defender Vonville (Nijmegen, Eredivisie) was naturalized for Curaçao last November but has not yet played.

Among the 26 Curaçao players facing China, 25 grew up in the Netherlands; the only player born in Curaçao, Chinese-descent player Chen Da Yi, also entered Feyenoord's youth academy at age 10 and developed in the Netherlands. Additionally, 16 of the 26 have represented Netherlands youth national teams, including former Hoffenheim defender Blaine and former Wolfsburg defender Basor, who were called up to the Netherlands senior team. Currently, 11 players are active in the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie, making Curaçao essentially a "Dutch third team."

The March international window is a crucial period for World Cup participants to finalize their squads before the tournament. China's opportunity to face the strongest lineup of World Cup debutants Curaçao—a "Dutch third team"—and Cameroon, which largely retains its Africa Cup framework, offers significant training value.