20 March 2025
With the resumption of Asian qualifiers this week, five teams are in a strong position to secure early qualification for the 2026 World Cup during the active international break. With only four matches remaining for the 18 teams competing for a place in the third round of Asian qualifiers, the coming days are crucial for the continent. Five teams can secure early qualification this round: Japan, Iraq, Iran, South Korea, and Uzbekistan.
Japan is poised to become the first team to join the hosts if it wins against Bahrain in Saitama on Thursday, while back-to-back home matches give Iran and South Korea a golden opportunity to secure back-to-back victories that will secure their place among the world's elite.
On the other hand, North Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, and Palestine face a crucial moment, as their qualification hopes could be completely shattered if they suffer two consecutive defeats within the next seven days.
Six of the eight Asian participants at the 2026 World Cup will be allocated in the third round, with the top two teams in each of the three groups qualifying directly.
The third and fourth-placed teams will advance to the fourth round, where they will compete for two additional places, in addition to another opportunity through the FIFA World Cup play-off.
Group A
1. Iran - 16 points
2. Uzbekistan - 13 points
3. UAE - 10 points
4. Qatar - 7 points
5. Kyrgyzstan - 3 points
6. North Korea - 2 points
Round 7 matches (March 20): Uzbekistan vs. Kyrgyzstan (Tashkent), Iran vs. UAE (Tehran), Qatar vs. North Korea (Doha).
Round 8 matches (March 25): Kyrgyzstan vs. Qatar (Bishkek), Iran vs. Uzbekistan (Tehran), North Korea vs. UAE.
Iran, one of three teams yet to lose in the Asian qualifiers, knows that two wins over the UAE and Uzbekistan will secure a fourth consecutive World Cup spot. Even four points from these two matches could be enough for Iran depending on the results of other matches. Iran will have the advantage of playing both matches at home in a lively atmosphere at Tehran's Azadi Stadium.
Uzbekistan can secure qualification if they beat Kyrgyzstan on Thursday and then defeat Iran in the next match five days later, provided other results in the group play in their favor. Under the leadership of highly regarded new coach Timur Kapadze, this will be Uzbekistan's historic first appearance at the World Cup.
At the other end of the group, Kyrgyzstan and North Korea's hopes are fading. Two consecutive defeats would effectively eliminate them from the race for the fourth round, effectively ending their chances of competing for a World Cup spot.
1. South Korea - 14 points
2. Iraq - 11 points
3. Jordan - 9 points
4. Oman - 6 points
5. Kuwait - 4 points
6. Palestine - 3 points
Round 7 matches (March 20): South Korea vs. Oman (Goyang), Iraq vs. Kuwait (Basra), Jordan vs. Palestine (Amman).
Round 8 matches (March 25): South Korea vs. Jordan (Suwon), Palestine vs. Iraq (Amman), Kuwait vs. Oman (Kuwait City).
South Korea is aiming to achieve a historic achievement by qualifying for the World Cup finals for the eleventh consecutive time, and they can secure this with two rounds to spare if they secure full points in their home matches against Oman tomorrow, Thursday, and then against Jordan five days later.
Although Iraq needs more results to go their way, they can also secure their second World Cup qualification with a win over Kuwait in Basra on Thursday, followed by another victory over Palestine five days later in a match played in the Jordanian capital, Amman, as a neutral venue.
Consecutive defeats for either or both of Palestine and Kuwait could mean the end of their hopes of reaching the last four. Therefore, all six teams in the group have plenty to fight for at this crucial stage.
1. Japan - 16 points
2. Australia - 10 points
3. Indonesia - 6 points
4. Saudi Arabia - 6 points
5. Bahrain - 6 points
6. China - 6 points
Round 7 fixtures (March 20): Australia vs. Indonesia (Sydney), Japan vs. Bahrain (Saitama), Saudi Arabia vs. China (Riyadh).
Matches in Round 8 (March 25): Japan vs. Saudi Arabia (Saitama), China vs. Australia (Hangzhou), Indonesia vs. Bahrain (Jakarta).
While Japan can become the first country to officially join the 2026 World Cup hosts if they beat Bahrain in Saitama on Thursday, the rest of Group C is locked in a heated battle for the other automatic qualification spot, with just one point separating the other five teams.
Bahrain appears to be facing the toughest task, with two away matches to come.
Indonesia fans are eagerly awaiting the first match under new coach Patrick Kluivert, when they face Australia in Sydney. The Socceroos are missing several key players due to injury.
Saudi Arabia, recently re-appointed by French coach Hervé Renard, has announced a new squad that could feature six debutants for their match against China in Riyadh.
