Qatar and Saudi Arabia will host the Asian qualifying playoffs for the 2026 World Cup, the Asian Soccer Confederation (AFC) have confirmed.
Six groups, the third and fourth-placed sides from the latest Asian third spherical of qualifying, might be divided into two teams of three groups.
They’ll battle one another in a centralised format from October 8 to 14, 2025, the AFC stated in a press release on Friday.
The group winners will safe the 2 remaining computerized berths at the World Cup.
The runners-up from every group will play two matches on November 13 and 18, with the winners qualifying for the inter-confederation playoffs, by which they might win a spot on the World Cup.
When is the draw for the fourth spherical of AFC World Cup qualifying?
The draw for the subsequent, and last, spherical of qualifying in Asia is scheduled for July 17.
The venues for every of the matches might be confirmed thereafter.
What occurred within the final spherical of AFC World Cup qualifiers?
The third spherical of qualifying constituted three teams of six, with the highest two groups from every group robotically qualifying for the World Cup, filling six of the AFC’s eight slots on the 2026 version of world soccer’s showpiece occasion.
The third- and fourth-placed groups from every group progressed to the ultimate spherical of the AFC qualifiers, hoping to win one of many quickly dwindling spots on the World Cup finals.
The underside two groups from every of these teams have been eradicated – Palestine being the final aspect to see their hopes of progressing ended after they have been defeated by a late penalty for Oman, who claimed fourth spot in Group B in consequence.
It was the furthest Palestine had reached of their makes an attempt to qualify for a World Cup.
Which six AFC groups have already certified for the World Cup?
Japan have been the first team to secure their place on the match, which is to be hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico, after they swept by Group C. Australia, in the identical group, claimed their place in second spot with a last day win in opposition to Saudi Arabia, who might have leapt above the Socceroos with a win.
Jordan and Uzbekistan each completed second of their teams, behind South Korea and Iraq respectively, sealing their first appearances at at World Cup.
Which AFC groups can nonetheless qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are the six groups nonetheless in with an opportunity of reaching the World Cup finals.
AFC Asian Cup champions, and hosts of the 2022 World Cup, Qatar endured a combined marketing campaign to complete fourth in Group A, with UAE claiming third.
Indonesia, hoping for less than a second look on the World Cup finals, secured the fourth spot in Group C, seeing off a late charge from China, who missed out on qualification for the subsequent stage alongside Bahrain. Saudi Arabia completed third in that group.
Iraq and Oman completed third and fourth, respectively, in Group B.
When and the place is the subsequent AFC Asian Cup?
The subsequent version of the Asian Cup might be performed in 2027. Saudi Arabia, which may even host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, has been named the host nation.
How do you qualify for the AFC Asian Cup?
The primary spherical of AFC qualifying for the tournament started in October 2023, and noticed 20 groups (ranked 27 to 46) taking part in dwelling and away playoffs, with the ten winners progressing.
The second spherical noticed the groups ranked 1-26 be part of the qualification course of, with the 36 groups break up into 9 teams. The spherical was performed throughout 2023 and 2024.
The winners and runners-up of the 9 teams progressed not solely to the 2027 Asian Cup, but in addition to the AFC World Cup qualifying teams.
A 3rd spherical of qualifiers is at the moment in progress to search out out who will line up on the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, alongside the 18 groups which have simply accomplished the AFC qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
