China PR, seeking to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since their only appearance at the Finals in 2002, kick off their Group B campaign against Australia at the neutral venue of Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Thursday.

The Chinese have not appeared at the FIFA World Cup since securing their one and only spot at the Finals, in 2002, but, after being drawn in a challenging Group B, coach Li Tie will be hoping to overcome the odds to end the country’s two decade hoodoo.

The-AFC.com previews the sides still standing as the pick of the continent’s national teams vie for a place in Qatar next year.

While some teams come into the final stage of the Qualifiers with a history of reaching multiple World Cups, Oman are only at this stage for the third time in their history after 2002 and 2014.

Through this series of articles, the-AFC.com analyses each of the 12 sides ready to take the next step in the journey towards the global showpiece.

For Syria, this is a dream they have came so close to achieving in the past, but without success so far. Can this be the year the Qasioun Eagles finally make it?

The-AFC.com looks at each of the teams still standing in a journey that started two years ago and was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic which delayed the proceedings by a year.

Group A will provide Iraq with the latest challenge as they pursue a return to the FIFA World Cup for the second time after Mexico 1986.

As the third round of the Asian Qualifiers gets underway in a few days’ time, the-AFC.com profiles each of the 12 teams in the two groups in terms of history and key players.

Giants of Asian football on all levels, Saudi Arabia returned to the FIFA World Cup in 2018 after an absence of 12 years and will be hoping to make it back-to-back appearances for the first time since qualifying for 2002 and 2006.

With four direct qualification spots up for grabs, and the continent’s top players and coaches going all out to turn their dreams into reality, join us as we preview the contenders.

Here we examine Australia, the now-habitual FIFA World Cup participants who overcame a range of difficulties to establish a perfect record in their qualifying campaign thus far, but who will need to stare down all new challenges in order to keep it.