November 21 – The AFC’s road to 2026 qualifying groups closed off 2024 with Japan, South Korea and Iran leading their six-team groups ahead of the final four qualifying fixtures to be played in the March and June international windows in 2026.
Only the top two teams in each group automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals. The six third- and fourth-placed teams qualify for a further round of two groups of three teams each to be played a centralised venue with the group winners qualifying for 2026.
AFC nations have been allocated eight direct qualifying slots and one inter-confederation play-off slot.
Japan with five wins and a draw are only a win away from securing their eighth consecutive World Cup finals appearance. For the five teams below them there is everything to play for with just one point separating Australia from the rest.
Australia and Saudi Arabia, who both qualified for 2018 and 2022, would be most people’s favourites in the battle for second spot, but after a slow start, China have forced themselves back into contention despite still sitting bottom of the table in goal difference.
In Group A, Iran and Uzbekistan have the edge over the UAE and Qatar. In March Iran open against the UAE with a win virtually qualifying them for 2026. Their second game in the March window is against Uzbekistan who open their 2025 campaign against Kyrgyz Republic as they bid for a first World Cup qualification.
South Korea lead Iraq in Group B having only dropped points to bottom team Palestine – drawing twice. Asian Cup finalists Jordan are two points behind the Iraqis who they face in what could be a winner-takes-all decider in the final game of group play next June.
Palestine may be bottom of the group but just one win could see them challenging for a spot in the next round of qualifying. Something that few football fans would deny them.
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