AFC World Cup Qualifying

Today's results. Japan (18 pts) with the big result beating Saudi (19 pts). Socceroos (15 pts) concede 2nd goal 89th min in Oman for 2-2. They are in trouble now as they won’t want to go through AFC/Intercontinental (CONEMBOL) playoffs. Japan in Sydney in March now absolutely must win for them

Sth Korea and Iran both through to Qatar now. 2 games left (in March) with UAE 3 pts ahead of Lebanon, and 4 pts ahead of Iraq, in battle for 3rd and the AFC playoff in early June

Pool A
Lebanon  1 - 1  Iraq
Syria  0 - 2 Korea Republic 
Iran 1 - 0 UAE 

Pool B
Japan  2 - 0  Saudi Arabia
Vietnam  3 - 1  China PR
Oman 2 - 2 Australia 

Results
Australia  0 - 2  Japan
Korea Republic  2 - 0  Iran
Lebanon  0 - 3  Syria
Vietnam  0 - 1  Oman
China PR 1 - 1 Saudi Arabia  
Iraq  1 - 0 UAE   

https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2022-qatar/3rd-round/r51885/

Sth Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia & Japan now all confirmed as going to Qatar.

Australia will finish 3rd in Pool B.

3rd spot in Pool A still up in the air - but mostly likely will be UAE (3rd currently), who lost to Iraq in neutral Riyadh. UAE are 3 points ahead of Lebanon (4th & 0-3 losers to Syria overnight, in a bad result for them).

Last round Lebanon travel to Iran (2nd), and UAE host Sth Korea (1st).

So Socceroos to play either UAE or Lebanon in June. Win that, and then is the 5th team from CONEMBOL (currently Peru) 

Don't forget about Iraq (4th) and one point behind UAE.

They've Syria last round which they will need to win, and if they do, then UAE will need to beat South Korea to stay ahead of them in 3rd. South Korea may however choose to give some of their younger/inexperienced players some game time, but that of course all remains to be seen.

How good it was to see the Suckeroos get done over by Japan too. What's that, one win in their last 6? 🤣🤣

Just saw the highlights of Aus v Japan. While you can only tell so much from a 5 min package, it looked like Japan could have scored half a dozen with a pinch more luck. 

Final round results.

Syria  1 - 1  Iraq
UAE  1 - 0  Korea Republic
Japan  1 - 1  Vietnam
Iran  2 - 0  Lebanon
Oman 2  - 0 China PR   
Saudi Arabia 1  - 0  Australia   

UAE (12 pts) with the crucial 1-0 win over Sth Korea. Iraq (9 pts) & Lebanon (6 pts) who both started the day with a chance to overtake UAE, miss out.

So Socceroos to play UAE in AFC playoff game (two 3rd placed teams), in Qatar in June. Basically a home game for UAE I imagine, with a lot of Emirati fans making the short trip to Qatar. Like the AWs playing China in Singers in 1982 was basically a home game for the Chinese.

I'm sure the AFC would love to have 3 Arab teams (Saudi, Qatar & UAE) at the World Cup.

UAE knocked Socceroos out of 2019 Asian Cup, with a 1-0 win in the quarterfinals. Tough game for Oztraylia. Win that, then is the 5th team from CONMEBOL. I'd definitely rather be Hay & the AWs.

https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2022-qatar/3rd-round/r51885/

Stensness starting alongside Trent Sainsbury (both ex CCM) for Socceroos, in Saudi (dead rubber). Fornaroli up front with Hrustić
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/03/29/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/saudi-arabia/australia/3531842/

Looks like Arnold hasn't picked any ALM players to start. So unfortunately Melb City's Tilio & Metcalfe (both on the bench) will likely be reasonably fresh for Nix game on the weekend. Leckie not listed in Socceroos match day squad. Maclaren on his honeymoon??

Edit - finished 1-0 to Saudi. Tilio got on for 20 mins, but not Metcalfe.

So Saudi win Group B, by 1 point from Japan. Socceroos 3rd & into AFC playoff verus UAE.

UAE were fantastic a few years ago, I'd imagine are still pretty good though are down a few of their stars from back then.

So some big games coming up in AFC WC qualifying (3rd Phase).

Must win for Poppa's Socceroos tomorrow night against Indonesia in Sydney (Round 7). There Pool C is incredibly tight for 2nd place. Next week the Socceroos play China in Hangzhou (Round 8). Win both and with some luck, they could already be automatic qualifiers for next year. Rounds 9 & 10 are in June.

Top 2 teams from each pool in June qualify for the WC. Other teams into the next 4th Phase qualifying later this year.

Japan with a win over Bahrain will be a locked in as an early WC qualifier. Sth Korea almost the same with a win over Oman.  I reckon both are possible opponents for the All Whites later this year, once they know their qualification is confirmed, and NZF can reach out to them about some dates.

Mo Al-Taay's Iraq with a great chance of qualifying. 2nd to Sth Korea currently.

Round 7 of 10 rounds, fixtures

Pool A
Uzbekistan (13 pts) vs Kyrgyz Republic (3)
IR Iran (16) vs UAE (10)
Qatar (7) vs Korea DPR (2)

Pool B
Jordan (9 pts) vs Palestine (3)
Iraq (11) vs Kuwait (4)
Korea Republic (14) vs Oman (6)

Pool C
Australia (7 pts) vs Indonesia (6)
Japan (16) vs Bahrain (6)
Saudi Arabia (6) vs China PR (6)

https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2026/3rd-round/r70808/

Mo Al-Taay an unused sub as Iraq draw 2-2 with Kuwait.

Iraq (3rd, 12 pts) travel to Jordan next to play Palestine. Iraq in a battle with Jordan (2nd, 12 pts) to get one of the two WC qualifying spots.

Australia  5 - 1  Indonesia
Japan  2 - 0  Bahrain
Korea Republic  1 - 1  Oman
Uzbekistan  1 - 0  Kyrgyz Republic
IR Iran  2 - 0  UAE
Qatar  5 - 1  Korea DPR
Jordan  3 - 1  Palestine
Iraq  2 - 2  Kuwait
Saudi Arabia  1 - 0  China PR 

Iran join Japan & NZ as confirmed WC qualifiers.

Unfortunately for Al-Taay Iraq lose to Palestine.

Despite the win Palestine (5th in Pool B, 6 pts) are unlikely to qualify for the World Cup. Imagine if they did. I'm guessing FIFA would have to ensure they played in either Canada and/or Mexico!

Pool A. Qataris (4th) lost. Good job. their best hope now is making it through to the next phase (Teams 3rd & 4th) from each pool. Uzbekistan (2nd) and 4 pts clear of UAE (3rd), with a royal chance of qualifying for their first WC.

https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2026/3rd-round/r70808/

Pool A
Kyrgyz Republic  3 - 1  Qatar
IR Iran  2 - 2  Uzbekistan
Korea DPR  1 - 2  UAE

Pool B
Korea Republic  1 - 1  Jordan
Kuwait  0 - 1  Oman
Palestine  2 - 1  Iraq

Pool C
Japan 0 - 0 Saudi Arabia
Indonesia  1 - 0  Bahrain
China PR  0 - 2  Australia

USA, Israel, Iran, Palestine would be a juicy group LOL

Qatar have conceded an amazing 21 goals in 8 games!

Final two rounds 3rd phase AFC WC qualifying.

The top 2 teams from each pool will qualify for the WC.
3rd & 4th from each pool  into the next 4th Phase qualifying later this year.

Uzbekistan very close to going to their first World Cup. Really hope Kyrgyzstan overtake the Qataris. Brown paper bags, indentured labour deaths, racially abusing Boxy, the list goes on. Regardless Qatar will at best be 3rd or 4th after these 2 games. Oman & Jordan also right in the mix for maiden WC qualification.

Socceroos a strong chance to qualify in Perth. Already qualified Japan have turned up with an understrength squad. Though any Blue Samurai team is strong. A Socceroos bogey team, they haven't lost to Oz in 16 years.

But if Aus do beat Japan and Saudi Arabia fail to beat Bahrain, the Socceroos are qualified. A draw Optus would also be enough, should Saudi Arabia fall to Bahrain and Indonesia do not beat China PR in Jakarta.

https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/afc-qualifying-third-round-matchday-nine-ten

Group A
Qatar (10, 4th) v Iran (20 pts, qualified)
United Arab Emirates (13, 3rd) v Uzbekistan (17)

North Korea (2, eliminated) v Kyrgyzstan (6)

Group B
Iraq (12, 3rd) v South Korea (16 pts)
Oman (10, 4th) v Jordan (13)

Kuwait (5) v Palestine (6)

Group C
Australia (13) v Japan (20 pts, qualified)

Indonesia (9, 4th) v China (6)

Bahrain (6) v Saudi Arabia (10, 3rd)

Parties in Amman and Tashkent!
The Jordanians and Uzbeks are both off to their first World Cups.
Go the White Wolves.

Indonesia an important win over China to keep their hopes alive of making the next 4th round of 6 teams, where 2 will qualify for the WC and another into next March's intercontinental tourney.

Iraq 0 South Korea 2
Kuwait 0 Palestine 2
Oman 0 Jordan 3

North Korea 2 Kyrgyzstan 2
Qatar 1 Iran 0
United Arab Emirates 0 Uzbekistan 0

Indonesia 1 China 0
Australia 1 Japan 0
Bahrain 0 Saudi Arabia 2

🤩 We go to @FIFAWorldCup. At last! 🥹 pic.twitter.com/4zdOc5fgLz

— Uzbekistan Professional Football League (@pfl_uz) June 5, 2025

Official: Indonesia dan Arab Saudi Lolos ke 4th Round #WCQ2026 #AsianQualifiers

4th Round Rules:
- 6 Tim akan dibagi dalam 2 Grup berisi 3 Tim
- Tiap tim akan bertemu 1x (host akan ditentukan kemudian)
- Puncak klasemen masing-masing grup lolos ke Piala Dunia 2026
- Runner Up… pic.twitter.com/mW1DhFLZp7

— Siaran Bola Live (@SiaranBolaLive) June 5, 2025

"Football, bloody hell"

🇺🇿Uzbekistan's goalkeeper and hero, Yutkir Yusupov, is in tears after his team qualified for the World Cup for the very first time. 🥹#AsianQualifiers pic.twitter.com/1fYsa2hMBQ

— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) June 5, 2025

So 5 of 6 qualification spots in this phase already confirmed. Saudi need to beat the Socceroos by 5 goals to deny Australia being the 6th team to go through.

Teams 3rd & 4th in each pool will go through to the final qualification phase.

Big emotional night for Palestine who can go through to the next phase beating Oman in Amman.

Qatar and UAE will finish 3rd or 4th in Group B.

Our old 2009 friends Bahrain still to get to a WC. Indonesia through to the next round, likely with the Saudis

Group A
Korea Rep (qualified) v Kuwait (5 pts)

Jordan (qualified) v Iraq (12 pts)

Palestine (9 pts) v Oman (10 pts)

Group B

Kyrgyzstan (7 pts) v UAE (14 pts)

Uzbekistan (qualified) v Qatar (13 pts)
Iran (qualified) v Korea DPR (3 pts)

Group C
Japan (qualified) v Indonesia (12 pts)
China PR (6 pts) v Bahrain (6 pts)
Saudi Arabia (13 pts, 0 GD) v Australia (16 pts, +8 GD)

Sadly no joy for Palestine, as they only draw with Oman

The 6 WC qualifiers from this Phase - South Korea, Jordan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Japan and Australia

The 6 Teams that go through to the final AFC qualifying Phase later this year -
Iraq, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia & Saudi Arabia.
Two teams from this phase to make the WC and a 3rd the FIFA Intercontinental playoff tourney next March

Mo Al-Taay's Iraq (now coached by Graham Arnold) still a chance to qualify. Doesn't look like Al-Taay played this window.

Group A
South Korea 4 Kuwait 0
Jordan 0 Iraq 1
Palestine 1 Oman 1

Group B
Iran 3 North Korea 0
Kyrgyzstan 1 United Arab Emirates 1
Uzbekistan 3 Qatar 0

Group C
Japan 6 Indonesia 0
Saudi Arabia 1 Australia 2
China 1 Bahrain 0

Good work Jordan. Feel sorry for the supporters. Most of them wont get a visa to travel to Trump land for finals

AFC WC Qualifying 4th Round in October at centralised venues (Qatar & Saudi).

Two pools of 3 teams
The two pool winners qualify
Two pool runners up, into 5th Round in November

Pool A - Oman, Qatar & UAE. This pool based in Qatar of course. Go Oman

Pool B - Indonesia, Saudi Arabia & Graham Arnold's Iraq
Mo Al-Taay still a chance of getting to the WC
This pool based in Saudi of course. Go Indonesia


Fifth Round in November a H&A playoff between two runners up Pools A & B for final place to go to the Inter-confederation play-offs next March. Alongside New Caledonia, Bolivia and yet to be known CAF & CONCACAF x2 teams.

Apparently Mexico will host the Inter-confederation play-offs.

Saudi 3 Indonesia 2

Qatar 0 Oman 0 - come on Oman, boo Qatar

Graham Arnold's Iraq beat Indonesia 1-0 in Saudi a few days ago.
Mo Al-Taay not in the Iraqi squad. Heart break for the Indonesians their WC dreams over.

Big game tonight Iraq against Saudi. Of course the match is in Saudi. The winner qualifies for the WC, the loser will play either Qatar or Oman in a 2 legged playoff. 

The winner of that playoff series to join New Caledonia, Bolivia and 3 other as yet unknown teams in the World Cup qualification inter-confederation play-offs next March.

Be great if Iraq won, and Saudi failed to make the WC.

Iraq & Saudi draw 0-0. So Saudi qualify and Iraq have to play Qatar in a 2 legged playoff in November.

Arnie not happy that Saudi not only hosted all the games of their team pool (Iraq & Indonesia the other teams), but the Saudis had a 6 day break between their 2 games, whilst both Indonesia and Iraq had only 3 day breaks.

But hey I'm sure Infantino didn't plan for that to happen!!!

Corruption is what its called. Infantino wants the Saudis in the WC. Hardly a level playing field.
The Indonesians are furious. Apparently there are lots if people in the ASEAN zone who want them split off from the Asian confed because the Arab countries are holding all the power. A merger with Oceania perhaps?

that's the kind of noise Oceania needs from the likes of Indonesia. If they can rally their friends in the ASEAN zone then maybe more will want to split and FIFA will have no other options.

Arnie leads Iraq to the Inter-Confederation stage of the World Cup Playoffs.

Iraq scored the winner vs the UAE from the penalty spot in the 17th added minute of stoppage time.

I couldn’t find the thread, cos I didn’t look mostly, but the alleged Japanese irritation that was going to see a new confederation etc etc, had just one original source. It could have been one guy bitching to a friend in a bar who stitched him up, both over stating the situation.

It might be genuine, smoke and fire and all that, but there’s not much real reporting to go on and to support all the mushrooming possibilities we might have been thinking.