Preview - Group A: DPR Korea v IR Iran

Thu, 14 Nov, 2024

Preview - Group A: DPR Korea v IR Iran

Vientiane: Islamic Republic of Iran will face DPR Korea in Group A of the Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 knowing that victory will almost surely secure their ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Iran, on 10 points, lead the standings ahead of Uzbekistan on goal difference with both sitting six clear of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar after just four matches. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/video/afc-asian-qualifiers™-road-to-26-–-matchday-5-preview

Preview - Group A: Qatar v Uzbekistan

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Preview - Group A: Qatar v Uzbekistan

Doha: Qatar know that defeat to Uzbekistan in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Thursday will be catastrophic to their hopes of securing automatic qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The two-time AFC Asian Cup™ champions are on four points, six behind Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan, with the qualifying campaign reaching the halfway stage.

Preview - Group A: UAE v Kyrgyz Republic

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Preview - Group A: UAE v Kyrgyz Republic

Abu Dhabi: United Arab Emirates will need to defeat Kyrgyz Republic in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A clash on Thursday to revive their campaign.

Trailing group leaders Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan by six points, anything less than a win will have dire consequences on UAE's hopes of a second appearance at the global stage. 

Preview - Group B: Iraq v Jordan

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Preview - Group B: Iraq v Jordan

Basra: Iraq and Jordan are set for a thrilling encounter when they meet in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B fixture at the Basra International Stadium on Thursday.

With the teams tied on seven points, a victory for either side will be crucial in their bid to secure one of the top two automatic spots to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Preview - Group B: Oman v Palestine

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

Preview - Group B: Oman v Palestine

Muscat: Oman will be desperate to reignite their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B campaign when they entertain Palestine at the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex on Thursday.

Head coach Rashid Jaber’s side find themselves in a precarious position, sitting fourth in the group with three points after a challenging start.

Preview - Group B: Kuwait v Korea Republic

Thu, 14 Nov, 2024

Preview - Group B: Kuwait v Korea Republic

Ardhiyah: Kuwait will face a huge challenge when they take on Group B leaders Korea Republic in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 clash at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium on Thursday.

With just three points and sitting fifth in the standings, Kuwait can’t afford to drop points even though they face a Korea Republic side who are well placed to qualify for an 11th consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup. 

Preview - Group C: Indonesia v Japan

Wed, 13 Nov, 2024

Preview - Group C: Indonesia v Japan

Jakarta: Japan will be eyeing to get back on the winning trail when they take on Indonesia in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group C match on Friday.

A 1-1 draw with Australia on Matchday Four halted Japan’s three-match winning run and head coach Hajime Moriyasu has warned his players to be wary of Indonesia's ability to rise to the occasion when playing at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.  

Preview - Group C: Bahrain v China PR

Thu, 14 Nov, 2024

Preview - Group C: Bahrain v China PR

Riffa: Bahrain and China PR will both be seeking to get their respective AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group C campaigns back on track when they meet at Bahrain National Stadium on Thursday.

Bahrain, in fourth spot on five points, are in a slightly better position as they are level with Australia (2nd) and Saudi Arabia (3rd) but as the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers enters the crunch period, they can ill-afford to drop points against Indonesia with only the top two sides from the group earning automatic qualification.

Preview - Group C: Australia v Saudi Arabia

Thu, 14 Nov, 2024

Preview - Group C: Australia v Saudi Arabia

Melbourne: Australia will aim to extend their recent revival in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 when they host Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

One point from their first two Group C matches led to the departure of Graham Arnold with Tony Popovic’s arrival as head coach serving as a breath of fresh air as they claimed four points from October’s games against China PR and Japan.

The confidence gained from October’s results is something Popovic is counting on to deliver success against the West Asian side, who will have Frenchman Herve Renard in the dug-out following the departure of Italian Roberto Mancini. 

#AsianQualifiers - Match Predictor: Impressive away displays and what’s up next!

Sat, 09 Nov, 2024

#AsianQualifiers - Match Predictor: Impressive away displays and what’s up next!

Kuala Lumpur: The 18 nations vying for Asia’s places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are all set to return to action for Matchdays 5 and 6 of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 with the next rounds of fixtures to take place on November 14 and 19.  

As the teams reach the midway point of the third round of qualifiers, we shine the spotlight on some of the key talking points from Matchdays 3 and 4 as well as look forward to some of the key upcoming games. 

But before we get to all the fun, remember to sign up to the ‘Free-to-Play’ AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Match Predictor. Here’s your chance to compete against friends, show off your knowledge and win exclusive prizes along the way. Join now: (https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/predictor.html).