SEOUL, South Korea (AP) Brazil-born striker Elkeson is set to become the first player of non-Chinese heritage to play for China's national soccer team when it starts its World Cup qualifying campaign next month.

According to an announcement from the Asian Football Confederation, the 30-year-old Elkeson, who has played in the Chinese league since 2013 and meets FIFA's five-year residency requirement, has been named in the squad by coach Marcello Lippi for China's trip to the Maldives on Sept. 10.

The Guangzhou Evergrande player, the top scorer in China in 2013 and 2014, will try to help his adopted country qualify for the World Cup for the first time since its debut appearance in 2002.

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