Asian Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: A Comprehensive Overview
The draw for the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, setting the stage for an intense battle among the continent's top teams. The 18 teams that advanced to this decisive round were divided into three groups of six, with the top two teams from each group earning direct qualification to the World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Group of Death: Saudi Arabia Faces Tough Competition
Group C, often referred to as the 'group of death,' features heavyweights Japan, Australia, and Saudi Arabia, alongside Bahrain, China, and Indonesia. Saudi Arabia, aiming for its third consecutive World Cup appearance and seventh overall, faces a challenging path. Japanese national team director Masakuni Yamamoto acknowledged the difficulty, citing the varying climates and travel challenges. Australia's coach Graham Arnold expressed confidence in his team's depth, despite the tough draw.
Arab Teams Dominate Group B
Group B has a distinct Arab flavor, featuring five teams from West Asia: Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, and Kuwait, alongside South Korea. This setup guarantees at least one Arab team will qualify for the World Cup. Jordanian national team director Muhammad Manjou described the group as 'balanced,' expressing optimism about Jordan's chances of reaching the World Cup finals for the first time. Palestine's coach, Makram Daboub, also recognized the difficulty but remained hopeful about his team's prospects.
Qatar's Challenging Path in Group A
Group A includes Qatar, Iran, Uzbekistan, the UAE, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea. Qatar, the reigning Asian champion, faces a tough road to its second World Cup appearance. Qatari coach Tim Cahill emphasized the importance of preparation and logistics. Meanwhile, UAE coach Paulo Bento acknowledged the challenges but noted that travel logistics were manageable for his team.
- The draw ceremony, held at 11 am UAE time, saw the participation of 18 teams, including nine Arab nations. The teams were divided into six levels based on the latest FIFA rankings. The third round matches will take place between September 2024 and June 2025.
- The UAE national team, ranked 69th globally, was placed in the fourth level alongside Oman and Bahrain. The team qualified for the decisive round by topping its group in the second round, scoring 16 points and remaining unbeaten.
- The nine Arab teams that advanced to the final round are Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE. They will compete alongside Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Iran, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Australia, China, and Kyrgyzstan for the six direct World Cup spots available to Asia, with additional opportunities through the global playoff.
