Cuper parts ways with Syria

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Cuper parts ways with Syria

Tokyo: Hector Cuper has announced his resignation as head coach of the Syria national team after a 5-0 defeat to Japan in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ tie on Tuesday.

The 68-year-old Argentine, a former centre-back who had coaching spells in Argentina, Europe and West Asia, leaves his post with immediate effect having taken over from Hussam Al Sayed in February 2023.

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Third round cast finalised

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Third round cast finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Tuesday with five teams joining 13 others in the next stage.

Kuwait (Group A), DPR Korea (Group B), China PR (Group C), Kyrgyz Republic (Group D) and Indonesia (Group F) were the final five sides to book their spots in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and confirm their tickets to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals after Matchday Six. 

Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic and Palestine will be making their debuts in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. 

Round 2 - MD6: Results & Reports

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Round 2 - MD6: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Tuesday with five teams booking their spots.

Kuwait (Group A), DPR Korea (Group B), China PR (Group C), Kyrgyz Republic (Group D) and Indonesia (Group F) joined Korea Republic, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Palestine, Qatar, Japan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Uzbekistan, Iraq, United Arab Emirates and Australia in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals.

Stay updated on all the reaction with the-AFC.com.

Group G: Jordan stun Saudi Arabia

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group G: Jordan stun Saudi Arabia

Riyadh: Jordan came from behind to defeat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the final match of Group G of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at Al Awwal Park on Tuesday.

While both teams had already advanced to the next round, Jordan’s victory meant they overtook their Matchday Six opponents into the top spot of Group G thanks to a superior goal-difference with both teams level on 13 points.

Group F: Iraq too strong for Vietnam

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group F: Iraq too strong for Vietnam

Basra: Iraq completed their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group F campaign with a perfect record after defeating Vietnam 3-1 on Tuesday. 

Their dream campaign is a boost for the West Asian side as they look to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Finals for a second time. 

For Vietnam, it was a disappointing end as they finished third in the group behind regional rivals Indonesia, who defeated the Philippines 2-0 to book their spot.

Group H: Yemen strike late to hold Nepal

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group H: Yemen strike late to hold Nepal

Dammam: Yemen scored in added time to deny Nepal a winning farewell as the two sides drew 2-2 in Group H of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

Sanjeeb Bista and Gillespye Jung Karki had turned the game around for Nepal after they had gone behind to a Nasser Al Gahwashi penalty but Mohammed Al Dahi struck the equaliser in the first minute of additional time to salvage a point for Yemen.

Group H: Bahrain halt UAE's perfect run

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group H: Bahrain halt UAE's perfect run

Dubai: The United Arab Emirates ended their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group H campaign unbeaten after playing out a 1-1 draw with Bahrain at Zabeel Stadium on Tuesday.

Both teams had already booked their place in the next round prior to the game, with the UAE confirmed to top the group with five wins from their previous five, and Bahrain finishing second.

Group E: IR Iran, Uzbekistan share spoils

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group E: IR Iran, Uzbekistan share spoils

Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran topped Group E after ending their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ campaign with a goalless draw against Uzbekistan on Tuesday.

The match at Azadi Stadium saw a closely fought contest as they repeated their stalemate from the reverse fixture in Tashkent which finished 2-2, with Iran finishing as group winners thanks to a superior goal difference.

Group D: Oman rally to finish top

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group D: Oman rally to finish top

Muscat: Kyrgyz Republic confirmed their place at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and a berth in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 as a 1-1 draw in Muscat against table-toppers Oman on Tuesday ensured a second-place finish in Group D.

The result means Kyrgyz Republic finish a point ahead of Malaysia, who defeated Chinese Taipei earlier on Tuesday to retain a mathematical chance of climbing above Stefan Tarkovic’s side and into the runners-up slot.

Eldiyar Zarypbekov gave the visitors the lead in the 19th minute but Abdul Aziz Khalfan levelled 12 minutes into the second half to ensure the points were shared with Oman winning the group.

Group I: Lebanon cap campaign with win

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group I: Lebanon cap campaign with win

Doha: Lebanon wrapped up their matches in Group I of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ in style, beating Bangladesh 4-0 at Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.

The result means the Cedars finish third with six points, just two behind Palestine who accompanied Australia to the third round of World Cup qualifiers, while Bangladesh could not add to their solitary point, collected from the reverse fixture in Dhaka back in November.