2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC third round
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 5 September 2024 – 10 June 2025 |
| Teams | 18 (from 1 confederation) |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 72 |
| Goals scored | 190 (2.64 per match) |
| Attendance | 2,109,089 (29,293 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) | 5 players (5 goals each) |
← 2022 2030 →
All statistics correct as of 25 March 2025. | |
The third round of AFC matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification is played from 5 September 2024 to 10 June 2025.[1]
Format
The eighteen teams that advanced from the
fourth round.[2]
From the teams that advance to the fourth round, the two teams with the best results in this round also receive the right to host the fourth round groups.[3]
Qualified teams
The following teams finished first or second in their respective second round groups:[4]
Draw
The draw for the third round was held on 27 June 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[4]
The seeding for the draw was based on the
FIFA Men's World Rankings on 20 June 2024 (shown in parentheses below).[5]
Each group contained one team from each of the six pots. The draw started with Pot 6 and concluded with Pot 1, with each team drawn being placed in the corresponding position sequentially in Group A, then B, then C.[6]
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
| |
| Pot 4 | Pot 5 | Pot 6 |
|
|
|
Schedule
The competition schedule is expected to be as follows:[1][7]
| Matchday | Date |
|---|---|
| Matchday 1 | 5 September 2024 |
| Matchday 2 | 10 September 2024 |
| Matchday 3 | 10 October 2024 |
| Matchday 4 | 15 October 2024 |
| Matchday 5 | 14–15 November 2024 |
| Matchday 6 | 19 November 2024 |
| Matchday 7 | 20 March 2025 |
| Matchday 8 | 25 March 2025 |
| Matchday 9 | 5 June 2025 |
| Matchday 10 | 10 June 2025 |
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | 
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran (Q)
|
8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 7 | +9 | 20 | 2026 FIFA World Cup | — | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 1–0 | 10 Jun | |
| 2 | Uzbekistan (X)
|
8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 7 | +4 | 17 | 0–0 | — | 1–0 | 10 Jun | 1–0 | 1–0 | ||
| 3 | United Arab Emirates (X)
|
8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 7 | +7 | 13 | Fourth round | 0–1 | 5 Jun | — | 5–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 | |
| 4 | Qatar (Z)
|
8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 21 | −5 | 10 | 5 Jun | 3–2 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 5–1 | ||
| 5 | Kyrgyzstan (Z)
|
8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 15 | −6 | 6 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 10 Jun | 3–1 | — | 1–0 | ||
| 6 | North Korea (E)
|
8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 16 | −9 | 2 | 2–3 | 0–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 5 Jun | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2025. Source: AFC,
FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (X) Assured of advancing to the fourth round; can still qualify directly; (Z) Cannot qualify directly; can still advance to the fourth round
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (X) Assured of advancing to the fourth round; can still qualify directly; (Z) Cannot qualify directly; can still advance to the fourth round
| North Korea | 2–2 | Qatar |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Attendance: 140
Referee: Nazmi Nasaruddin (Malaysia)
| Kyrgyzstan | 2–3 | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Iran | 4–1 | Qatar |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| North Korea | 2–3 | Iran |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Attendance: 100
Referee: Sadullo Gulmurodi (Tajikistan)
| Qatar | 3–2 | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| United Arab Emirates | 5–0 | Qatar |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
| Kyrgyzstan | 3–1 | Qatar |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Iran | 2–2 | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| North Korea | 1–2 | United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
Attendance: 223
Referee: Mohammed Al Hoish (Saudi Arabia)
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | 
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Korea (X)
|
8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 7 | +7 | 16 | 2026 FIFA World Cup | — | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 10 Jun | |
| 2 | Jordan (X)
|
8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 7 | +6 | 13 | 0–2 | — | 10 Jun | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | ||
| 3 | Iraq
|
8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 12 | Fourth round | 5 Jun | 0–0 | — | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2–2 | |
| 4 | Oman
|
8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 10 | −2 | 10 | 1–3 | 5 Jun | 0–1 | — | 1–0 | 4–0 | ||
| 5 | Palestine (Z)
|
8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 12 | −5 | 6 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 10 Jun | — | 2–2 | ||
| 6 | Kuwait (Z)
|
8 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 14 | −7 | 5 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 5 Jun | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2025. Source: AFC,
FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(X) Assured of advancing to the fourth round; can still qualify directly; (Z) Cannot qualify directly; can still advance to the fourth round
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(X) Assured of advancing to the fourth round; can still qualify directly; (Z) Cannot qualify directly; can still advance to the fourth round
| Iraq | 1–0 | Oman |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
| Palestine | 1–3 | Jordan |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
Kuala Lumpur Stadium, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)[note 3]
Attendance: 3,012
Referee: Majed Al-Shamrani (Saudi Arabia)
| Oman | 1–3 | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Oman | 4–0 | Kuwait |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
| South Korea | 3–2 | Iraq |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
| Palestine | 2–2 | Kuwait |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Attendance: 1,827
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)
| Kuwait | 1–3 | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Palestine | 1–1 | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Oman | 0–1 | Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
Attendance: 26,377
Referee: Omar Mohamed Al Ali (United Arab Emirates)
| Kuwait | 1–1 | Jordan |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
Attendance: 29,400
Referee: Nazmi Nasaruddin (Malaysia)
| South Korea | 1–1 | Oman |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Iraq | 2–2 | Kuwait |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Nasser  39', 70' |
| Jordan | 3–1 | Palestine |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Seyam 33' |
| Palestine | 2–1 | Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
Amman International Stadium, Amman (Jordan)[note 3]
Attendance: 7,305
Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)
| Kuwait | 0–1 | Oman |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
Attendance: 41,322
Referee: Salman Ahmad Falahi (Qatar)
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | 
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan (Q)
|
8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 2 | +22 | 20 | 2026 FIFA World Cup | — | 1–1 | 0–0 | 10 Jun | 2–0 | 7–0 | |
| 2 | Australia (X)
|
8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 6 | +7 | 13 | 5 Jun | — | 0–0 | 5–1 | 0–1 | 3–1 | ||
| 3 | Saudi Arabia
|
8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 10 | Fourth round | 0–2 | 10 Jun | — | 1–1 | 0–0 | 1–0 | |
| 4 | Indonesia
|
8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 14 | −6 | 9 | 0–4 | 0–0 | 2–0 | — | 1–0 | 5 Jun | ||
| 5 | Bahrain (Z)
|
8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 13 | −8 | 6 | 0–5 | 2–2 | 5 Jun | 2–2 | — | 0–1 | ||
| 6 | China (Z)
|
8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 19 | −13 | 6 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 10 Jun | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2025. Source: AFC,
FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (X) Assured of advancing to the fourth round; can still qualify directly; (Z) Cannot qualify directly; can still advance to the fourth round
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (X) Assured of advancing to the fourth round; can still qualify directly; (Z) Cannot qualify directly; can still advance to the fourth round
| Saudi Arabia | 1–1 | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| China | 1–2 | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Australia | 3–1 | China |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Bahrain | 2–2 | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Japan | 1–1 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| China | 2–1 | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
Attendance: 37,133
Referee: Omar Al-Ali (United Arab Emirates)
| Australia | 0–0 | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Attendance: 27,491
Referee: Adel Al-Naqbi (United Arab Emirates)
| Bahrain | 0–1 | China |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| China | 1–3 | Japan |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Indonesia | 2–0 | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
| Bahrain | 2–2 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Australia | 5–1 | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| China | 0–2 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
Hangzhou Sports Park Stadium, Hangzhou
Attendance: 70,588
Referee: Mooud Bonyadifard (Iran
)Top goalscorers
There have been 190 goals scored in 72 matches, for an average of 2.64 goals per match (as of 25 March 2025).
5 goals
4 goals
3 goals
2 goals
Lewis Miller- Kusini Yengi
Mahdi Abduljabbar- Mohamed Marhoon
Zhang Yuning
Marselino Ferdinan- Ole Romeny
Mehdi Ghayedi
Ibrahim Bayesh
Daichi Kamada- Takefusa Kubo
- Ayase Ueda
Musa Al-Taamari- Ali Olwan
Mohammad Daham
Alimardon Shukurov
Kim Yu-song
Muhsen Al-Ghassani- Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri
Zaid Qunbar
Akram Afif- Ibrahim Al-Hassan
- Lucas Mendes
Hassan Kadesh
Hwang Hee-chan- Oh Hyeon-gyu
- Oh Se-hun
Yahya Al-Ghassani
1 goal
- Martin Boyle
- Craig Goodwin
- Behram Abduweli
- Lin Liangming
- Xie Wenneng
- Thom Haye
- Ragnar Oratmangoen
- Rafael Struick
- Sandy Walsh
- Saleh Hardani
- Hussein Ali
- Youssef Amyn
- Akam Hashim
- Wataru Endō
- Ko Itakura
- Junya Itō
- Daizen Maeda
- Kaoru Mitoma
- Yukinari Sugawara
- Yazan Al-Arab
- Mahmoud Al-Mardi
- Noor Al-Rawabdeh
- Abdallah Nasib
- Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov
- Khristiyan Brauzman
- Valery Kichin
- Aleksandr Mishchenko
- Jong Il-gwan
- Kang Kuk-chol
- Pak Kwang-hun
- Ri Il-song
- Ali Al-Busaidi
- Issam Al-Sabhi
- Abdullah Fawaz
- Ameed Mahajna
- Tamer Seyam
- Ahmed Al-Rawi
- Ahmed Alaaeldin
- Ahmed Al Ganehi
- Salem Al-Dawsari
- Musab Al-Juwayr
- Bae Jun-ho
- Joo Min-kyu
- Sultan Adil
- Khaled Ibrahim
- Marcus Meloni
- Ali Saleh
Khojiakbar Alijonov- Husniddin Aliqulov
- Khojimat Erkinov
- Jaloliddin Masharipov
- Eldor Shomurodov
- Otabek Shukurov
- Oston Urunov
1 own goal
- Cameron Burgess (against Japan)
- Harry Souttar (against Bahrain)
- Justin Hubner (against Japan)
- Mehdi Taremi (against North Korea)
- Shogo Taniguchi(against Australia)
- Tamirlan Kozubayev (against Qatar)
- Kim Yu-song (against Qatar)
- Ali Lajami (against China)
- Jung Seung-hyun (against Oman)
Notes
- ^ a b c The North Korean team has confirmed moving the match to Laos due to "security concerns".[8][9]
- ^ The AFC has moved the match to a neutral venue due to security concerns relating to the October 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran (Operation Days of Repentance).[10]
- ^ Israel–Hamas war.[11]
- ^ Bunkyō, Tokyo,[12][14] took 2 hours 9 minutes (16:37–18:46) to arrive the stadium via chartered coach,[12] while ordinary driving time from Tokyo Station is estimated to be 40 minutes, according to the stadium.[15]
References
- ^ a b "AFC Competitions Calendar (Jul 2024 – Jun 2025)" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ^ "Asia's pathway to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 confirmed". Asian Football Confederation. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ "AFC Competitions Committee approves key decisions on reformatted competitions". the-AFC. Asian Football Confederation. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Third round cast finalised". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ "Road to 26 draw to reveal riveting battles for Asian contenders". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "Draw procedures for the AFC Preliminary Draw for the FIFA World Cup 26" (PDF). FIFA. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "Road to 26 - Draw Results & Match Schedule" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Reddy, Shreyas (16 August 2024). "North Korea moves World Cup qualifier from Pyongyang due to 'security concerns'". NK News. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ "Latest update on AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ "Latest update on AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ "Malaysia to host Palestine vs Jordan World Cup Qualifier match". The Sun. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ a b c Smyth, Rob (2024-10-15). "Admirable defensive performance earns the Socceroos a vital point in a match of two own goals against the Samurai Blue". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2024-10-16.
Our man in Tokyo says both teams requested a delay to the kick-off and were rejected by the Asian Football Confederation. That's pretty ordinary, and there are a few alternative words as well— Socceroos team bus set out at 4:37pm from Bunkyo and arrived in Saitama 6:46pm – Two hours and nine minutes. JFA and FA requested a delay to kickoff but AFC declined— Joey Lynch
- ^ a b McKern, James (2024-10-15). "Socceroos dudded by 'scandalous' decision after chaotic scenes unfold". news.com.au.
- ^ @Socceroos (2024-10-15). "One final stretch of the legs on matchday 👟 Tonight's kick off in Japan awaits". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2024-10-16.
[photos of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo]
- ^ "Directions". Saitama Stadium official website. Archived from the original on 2023-02-04. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
By Car: Urawa interchange - 10 minutes, Iwatsuki interchange - 15 minutes, Tokyo Station - 40 minutes, Haneda Airport - 50 minutes
External links
- Asian Qualifiers: Road to 26 playlist on YouTube