Asian Qualifiers - Landing Page (AR)2

"We have signed Hong as our next national team head coach," a spokesman for the Korea Football Association (KFA) said.

Ahead of what will surely be thrilling affairs, the-AFC.com takes a look at some key facts and figures.

Ahead of the action kicking off on September 5, the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures from the group, which will feature Korea Republic, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine and Kuwait.

The Portuguese, who took over the helm in 2022, leaves his post having helped Kuwait return to the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time since the 2006 edition.

As the 18 teams start preparing for the action to kick off on September 5, the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts, starting with Group A.

Eighteen nations were divided into three groups, with eight confirmed places and a possible additional spot via a playoff on offer for Asia at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

With the draw setting up several high-profile clashes in the next phase of the qualifiers beginning September 5, the-AFC.com takes a look at six such matches that stand out during the early stages of the AFC Asian Qualifiers third round.

The West Asians were placed in Group B alongside Korea Republic, Iraq, Jordan, Oman and Kuwait for the third round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying, with direct slots on offer to the top two finishers of each of the three groups.

Kicking off their bid for a first appearance on the global stage with a home tie DPR Korea on September 5, Uzbekistan will also have to contend with Islamic Republic of Iran, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Kyrgyz Republic to grab one of the two automatic spots from the group to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The Chinese have not qualified for the FIFA World Cup Finals since making their debut appearance in Japan and Korea Republic in 2002 and Ivankovic’s side have been handed a tough task after being drawn against Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Indonesia.

But after turning the nation’s qualifying campaign around in their last four matches in the second phase when he replaced Aleksandar Jankovic as coach in February, the experienced Croatian is confident his team can make an impact along the road to the Finals.

Seeking to qualify for the global showpiece on merit after having made their debut as hosts of the 2022 edition, Qatar were drawn in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road To 26 on Thursday.

The two-time AFC Asian Cup™ champions will face Islamic Republic of Iran, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic and DPR Korea in what promises to be an enthralling campaign.

The second-highest ranked Asian side in the FIFA rankings at 20, IR Iran are seeking a seventh FIFA World Cup appearance and head coach Amir Ghalenoei is optimistic about qualification despite being drawn in a tough Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 on Thursday.

With Asia’s confirmed slots increased to eight compared to just four for the Qatar 2022 edition, Bento believes UAE can end their long wait for a second appearance at the global showpiece, having made their debut in the 1990 edition.

"We have signed Hong as our next national team head coach," a spokesman for the Korea Football Association (KFA) said.

The tears in Neil Etheridge’s eyes told the story, six years ago, of what it meant to the Philippines to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup™ Finals; victory over Tajikistan took the nation to the tournament for the first time and the emotion streaked the goalkeeper’s face.

For a country that has historically occupied a position of significance within the continental game – it featured in the first international played on Asian soil in 1913 and was the first home of the Asian Football Confederation - the Philippines’ on-field record is underwhelming.