Australia's Arnold unfazed by challenging draw

Fri, 28 Jun, 2024

Australia's Arnold unfazed by challenging draw

Kuala Lumpur: Australia head coach Graham Arnold is confident the Socceroos can book a berth at a sixth consecutive FIFA World Cup Finals after his side were drawn to face Japan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China PR and Indonesia in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Thursday.

The six nations face off for a place in the 2026 Finals in Group C with the Japanese, Saudi Arabians and Australians renewing their rivalries after playing one another at the same stage of the preliminaries for the both the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

On the most recent occasion, Saudi Arabia won the group with Japan taking the second automatic qualifying berth at the Finals while Australia advanced after progressing through the Intercontinental Playoff with a penalty shoot-out victory over Peru in Doha.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/highlights_fifa_world_cup_26_preliminary_draw__afc_asian_qualifiers_-_road_to_26_official_draw.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/asian_qualifiers_road_to_26_|_group_c_reaction.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3034644.html

Asian hopefuls learn Road to 26 challengers

Thu, 27 Jun, 2024

Asian hopefuls learn Road to 26 challengers

Kuala Lumpur: The continent's path to the FIFA World Cup 2026 was finalised following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup 26 Preliminary Draw – AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road To 26 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 18 teams were divided into three groups, with eight confirmed berths and a possible additional spot via a playoff available for Asia at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Kyrgyz Republic, Indonesia and Palestine are making their debuts at this stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.

Road to 26: What they said

Thu, 27 Jun, 2024

Road to 26: What they said

Kuala Lumpur: The stage is set for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 following the draw in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

With Asia assured of eight spots and a possible ninth through a playoff, the action promises to be exciting. The-AFC.com highlights what the teams had to say after the draw.

Road to 26: All you need to know

Thu, 27 Jun, 2024

Road to 26: All you need to know

Kuala Lumpur: The FIFA World Cup 26 Preliminary Draw – AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road To 26 concluded in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The eighteen teams were divided into three groups for what promises to be a thrilling campaign.

The-AFC.com breaks down all that you need to know about the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road To 26.

Asia at the FIFA World Cup: 2002-2022

Wed, 26 Jun, 2024

Asia at the FIFA World Cup: 2002-2022

Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26™ will be held on Thursday with a record eight automatic places and an additional spot via the Inter-Confederation playoff on offer for Asia at the FIFA World Cup 2026 hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. 

Having looked at Asia's best moments in the global showpiece from its inception up until 1998 ahead of the draw, the-AFC.com now turns its attention to the World Cups held in the new millennium to see how the Asian representatives performed in the competition, starting with the historic 2002 tournament. 

Asia at the FIFA World Cup: 1930-1998

Tue, 25 Jun, 2024

Asia at the FIFA World Cup: 1930-1998

Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 is fast approaching as 18 sides continue their quests to reach the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States and carry forward the continent's legacy in the global showpiece. 

Ahead of the draw, the-AFC.com takes a trip down memory lane to find out how the 12 Asian representatives to have previously been to the World Cup have performed – beginning the first of two parts by looking at the editions from its inception in 1930 to the one hosted by France in 1998.