The AFC’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup consists of multiple rounds, starting October 2023. Eight teams will directly qualify, with one team entering the inter-confederation playoffs. The qualification includes five rounds, featuring 20 initial teams, and is divided across various stages. Current top performers include Japan, Iran, and South Korea, while the qualification tables show leading teams in each group.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is set to embark on a rigorous qualification process for the 2026 World Cup, with eight direct spots and one inter-confederation playoff place available. This journey will span several rounds, starting with the first round from October 11-17, 2023, featuring 20 teams engaged in home-and-away matches. The road to qualification includes a minimum of three group stages before determining which teams will advance to the World Cup.
The qualification format is divided into five rounds:
1. First Round (October 11-17, 2023): 20 teams play in home-and-away matches.
2. Second Round (November 2023 – June 2024): 36 teams split into nine groups; the top two teams from each group will advance.
3. Third Round (Beginning September 2024): 18 teams are arranged into three groups, with the top two from each group qualifying for the World Cup.
4. Fourth Round (Starting October 2025): Six teams in two groups with the group winners qualifying directly for the World Cup.
5. Fifth Round (November 2025): Two teams compete, with the winner advancing to the inter-confederation playoffs.
As of now, several Premier League players are representing national teams in the qualifying rounds, including Heung-min Son (South Korea), Kaoru Mitoma and Yukinari Sugawara (Japan), and Cameron Burgess (Australia). Teams like Japan, Iran, and South Korea are currently performing well, while Iraq and Jordan show strong potential. Conversely, Saudi Arabia is under strain after firing their coach Roberto Mancini.
The latest third-round fixtures included significant matches such as Australia vs. Saudi Arabia (0-0) and Qatar defeating Uzbekistan (3-2). Teams are vying for the top two spots in their respective groups to ensure their World Cup dreams remain alive. Out of these fixtures, notable performances have been showcased, like Japan’s 4-0 win against Indonesia and Iran’s 3-0 victory over Iraq.
As the qualification progresses, the tables are updated to reflect the current standings. Group A features Iran leading with 16 points, followed by Uzbekistan (13 points) and the UAE (10 points). In Group B, South Korea remains dominant with 14 points, ahead of Iraq (11 points). Meanwhile, Japan tops Group C with a commanding 16 points, indicating a strong pursuit towards World Cup qualification.
Original Source: www.nbcsports.com
