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.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/photo/the_cast.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.

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. 

How They Got Here: Part 3

Wed, 26 Jun, 2024

How They Got Here: Part 3

Kuala Lumpur: The FIFA World Cup will return to the continent of North America for the first time since 1994 when Canada, Mexico and the United States host the global showpiece event in two years’ time.

Asia will have a record number of automatic spots on offer with up to nine teams having the chance to qualify. Eighteen nations have successfully navigated Round Two of the qualification stage, with the Round Three draw fast approaching on Thursday.

Ahead of the draw to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the-AFC.com throws the spotlight on the final six teams in this three-part series that were placed in Group G, H and I in the second round.

How They Got Here: Part 2

Tue, 25 Jun, 2024

How They Got Here: Part 2

Kuala Lumpur: Eighteen nations from across the continent will compete for automatic qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 during the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 – the draw for which will take place on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

A record number of eight tickets are on offer for Asia at the global showpiece to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, and the contenders will be split into three groups of six teams for the next phase of the Asian Qualifiers, with a ninth side also standing a chance to qualify through the Inter-Confederation playoffs.

With the date for the draw fast approaching, the-AFC.com takes a look back at how the sides from Group D, E and F of the second round made it through to the next stage. 

How They Got Here: Part 1

Mon, 24 Jun, 2024

How They Got Here: Part 1

Kuala Lumpur: With the draw for the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26™ set to take place on June 27, the-AFC.com looks back at how the teams reached the third round of the qualifying campaign. 

A total of 18 sides will be split across three groups, with six teams set to advance directly to the global showpiece in Canada, Mexico and the United States, and a further six to progress to the next stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.
 
Asia has a record eight automatic places up for grabs at the FIFA World Cup, with one more team to get the chance of being the continent’s ninth participant via the Inter-Confederation playoffs.
 
Ahead of the draw, there is all to play for in what promises to be a thrilling next phase of qualifying. Here’s how the six sides from Groups A to C of the previous round got to this stage.

Casas confident Iraq can end long wait

Wed, 26 Jun, 2024

Casas confident Iraq can end long wait

Kuala Lumpur: By the time the FIFA World Cup kicks off in 2026 it will have been 40 years since Iraq made their first – and so far only – appearance at the Finals. Ahead of Thursday's FIFA World Cup 26™ Preliminary Draw – AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road To 26, head coach Jesus Casas is confident he can help end the West Asian nation’s lengthy drought.

The names of Ahmed Rahdi, Raad Hammoudi and Hussein Saeed are etched indelibly into Iraq’s football folklore, sitting proudly alongside the rest of the 22-man squad that represented the nation on their debut FIFA World Cup appearance in Mexico in 1986.

Such was the country’s status within Asian football at the time, few would have predicted that almost four decades later Iraq would not have made a return visit to the FIFA World Cup Finals.

Taremi determined to power IR Iran to 2026 Finals

Tue, 18 Jun, 2024

Taremi determined to power IR Iran to 2026 Finals

Kuala Lumpur: The pain of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s semi-final exit at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ still stings for Mehdi Taremi but, as the striker tells the-AFC.com, he is choosing to look towards the future; to his impending move to Serie A giants Inter Milan and to what he hopes will be another FIFA World Cup Finals appearance.

No nation knows semi-final heartbreak at the AFC Asian Cup quite like IR Iran; on seven occasions since 1976 - the most recent of the country’s three consecutive continental titles - Team Melli have fallen one hurdle before the tournament’s deciding match.

AFC and Molten unveil Official Match Ball for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26

Tue, 25 Jun, 2024

AFC and Molten unveil Official Match Ball for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and global sports equipment manufacturer Molten, Official Global Partner of the AFC’s national team and club competitions, have unveiled today the Official Match Ball that will be used exclusively for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26, taking place from September 2, 2024 to November 18, 2025.

Molten will supply the “AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26” model of their 5th generation Vantaggio for the highly anticipated decisive stages of the Confederation’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which is set to feature the Continent’s top 18 national teams.