2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC third round

Last updated
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC third round
Tournament details
Dates5 September 2024 – 10 June 2025
Teams18 (from 1 confederation)
Tournament statistics
Matches played90
Goals scored231 (2.57 per match)
Attendance2,581,626 (28,685 per match)
Top scorer(s) 6 players (5 goals each)
2022
2030

The third round of AFC matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification was played from 5 September 2024 to 10 June 2025. [1]

Contents

Format

The 18 teams that advanced from the second round (nine group winners and nine group runners-up) were divided into three groups of six teams. The teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The top two teams of each group qualified directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the third and fourth-placed teams advanced to the fourth round. [2]

Qualified teams

The following teams finished first or second in their respective second round groups: [3]

Draw

The draw for the third round was held on 27 June 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [3]

The seeding for the draw was based on the FIFA Men's World Rankings on 20 June 2024 (shown in parentheses below). [4]

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. [5]

Pot 1Pot 2Pot 3
  1. Flag of Japan.svg  Japan (17)
  2. Flag of Iran.svg  Iran (20)
  3. Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea (22)
  1. Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia (23)
  2. Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar (35)
  3. Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq (55)
  1. Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia (56)
  2. Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan (62)
  3. Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan (68)
Pot 4Pot 5Pot 6
  1. Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates (69)
  2. Flag of Oman.svg  Oman (76)
  3. Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain (81)
  1. Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China (88)
  2. Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine (95)
  3. Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan (101)
  1. Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea (110)
  2. Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia (134)
  3. Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait (137)

Note: Bold indicates team qualified for the World Cup. Italics indicates the team advanced to the fourth round.

Schedule

The competition schedule was as follows: [1] [6]

MatchdayDate
Matchday 15 September 2024
Matchday 210 September 2024
Matchday 310 October 2024
Matchday 415 October 2024
Matchday 514–15 November 2024
Matchday 619 November 2024
Matchday 720 March 2025
Matchday 825 March 2025
Matchday 95 June 2025
Matchday 1010 June 2025

Group A

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Iran.svg Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Flag of Qatar.svg Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg Flag of North Korea.svg
1Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 10721198+1123 2026 FIFA World Cup 2–2 2–0 4–1 1–0 3–0
2Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 10631147+721 0–0 1–0 3–0 1–0 1–0
3Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 10433158+715 Fourth round 0–1 0–0 5–0 3–0 1–1
4Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 104151724713 1–0 3–2 1–3 3–1 5–1
5Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan 10226121868 2–3 2–3 1–1 3–1 1–0
6Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 10037921123 2–3 0–1 1–2 2–2 2–2
Source: AFC, FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svg1–0Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
  • Masharipov Soccerball shade.svg20'
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Milliy Stadium, Tashkent
Attendance: 24,205
Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)
Iran  Flag of Iran.svg1–0Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Fuladshahr Stadium, Fuladshahr
Attendance: 12,077
Referee: Yusuke Araki (Japan)
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg1–3Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
Attendance: 33,952
Referee: Shaun Evans (Australia)

North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svg2–2Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg2–3Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 13,282
Referee: Ahmed Al-Ali (Kuwait)
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg0–1Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)

Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svg0–0Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Milliy Stadium, Tashkent
Attendance: 33,829
Referee: Shaun Evans (Australia)
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg3–1Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Al Thumama Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 25,195
Referee: Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg1–1Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)

Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svg1–0Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Milliy Stadium, Tashkent
Attendance: 32,773
Referee: Ma Ning (China)
Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg1–0Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 9,769
Referee: Khaled Al-Hoish (Saudi Arabia)
Iran  Flag of Iran.svg4–1Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Rashid Stadium, Dubai (United Arab Emirates) [note 2]
Attendance: 7,890
Referee: Yusuke Araki (Japan)

North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svg2–3Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane (Laos) [note 1]
Attendance: 100
Referee: Sadullo Gulmurodi (Tajikistan)
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg3–2Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg3–0Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)

North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svg0–1Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane (Laos) [note 1]
Attendance: 166
Referee: Ahmed Al-Ali (Kuwait)
Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg2–3Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 10,021
Referee: Ma Ning (China)
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg5–0Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 13,825
Referee: Khalid Saleh Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)

Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svg1–0Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Milliy Stadium, Tashkent
Attendance: 32,458
Referee: Yusuke Araki (Japan)
Iran  Flag of Iran.svg2–0Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Azadi Stadium, Tehran
Attendance: 20,469
Referee: Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg5–1Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Pak Kwang-hun Soccerball shade.svg86'

Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg3–1Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Iran  Flag of Iran.svg2–2Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Azadi Stadium, Tehran
Attendance: 36,702
Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)
North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svg1–2Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) [note 3]
Attendance: 223
Referee: Mohammed Al Hoish (Saudi Arabia)

United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg0–0Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 9,820
Referee: Shaun Evans (Australia)
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg1–0Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 8,925
Referee: Mohammed Al-Hoaish (Saudi Arabia)
North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svg2–2Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)

Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svg3–0Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Milliy Stadium, Tashkent
Attendance: 32,931
Referee: Ma Ning (China)
Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg1–1Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 12,258
Referee: Ahmed Al-Ali (Kuwait)
Iran  Flag of Iran.svg3–0Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Azadi Stadium, Tehran
Attendance: 16,803
Referee: Nazmi Nasaruddin (Malaysia)

Group B

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of South Korea.svg Flag of Jordan.svg Flag of Iraq.svg Flag of Oman.svg Flag of Palestine.svg Flag of Kuwait.svg
1Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 10640207+1322 2026 FIFA World Cup 1–1 3–2 1–1 0–0 4–0
2Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 10442168+816 0–2 0–1 4–0 3–1 1–1
3Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq 1043399015 Fourth round 0–2 0–0 1–0 1–0 2–2
4Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 10325914511 1–3 0–3 0–1 1–0 4–0
5Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine 102441013310 1–1 1–3 2–1 1–1 2–2
6Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 10055720135 1–3 1–1 0–0 0–1 0–2
Source: AFC, FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg0–0Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg1–0Flag of Oman.svg  Oman
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Basra International Stadium, Basra
Attendance: 63,720
Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)
Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svg1–1Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Amman International Stadium, Amman
Attendance: 13,555
Referee: Adel Al-Naqbi (United Arab Emirates)

Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svg1–3Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Oman  Flag of Oman.svg1–3Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat
Attendance: 27,144
Referee: Ma Ning (China)
Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svg0–0Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, Kuwait City
Attendance: 58,000
Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura (Japan)

Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svg0–2Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Amman International Stadium, Amman
Attendance: 14,655
Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura (Japan)
Oman  Flag of Oman.svg4–0Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg1–0Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Basra International Stadium, Basra
Attendance: 44,773
Referee: Adel Al-Naqbi (United Arab Emirates)

South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg3–2Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Yongin Mireu Stadium, Yongin
Attendance: 35,198
Referee: Rustam Lutfullin (Uzbekistan)
Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svg4–0Flag of Oman.svg  Oman
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Amman International Stadium, Amman
Attendance: 14,515
Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)
Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svg2–2Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha (Qatar) [note 4]
Attendance: 1,827
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)

Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svg1–3Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Oman  Flag of Oman.svg1–0Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat
Attendance: 21,754
Referee: Fu Ming (China)
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg0–0Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Basra International Stadium, Basra
Attendance: 65,000
Referee: Mohammed Al-Hoish (Saudi Arabia)

Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svg1–1Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Amman International Stadium, Amman (Jordan) [note 4]
Attendance: 2,405
Referee: Yusuke Araki (Japan)
Oman  Flag of Oman.svg0–1Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat
Attendance: 26,377
Referee: Omar Al-Ali (United Arab Emirates)
Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svg1–1Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)

South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg1–1Flag of Oman.svg  Oman
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Goyang Stadium, Goyang
Attendance: 35,212
Referee: Alireza Faghani (Australia)
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg2–2Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Nasser Soccerball shade.svg39', 70'
Basra International Stadium, Basra
Attendance: 45,851
Referee: Ma Ning (China)
Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svg3–1Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Seyam Soccerball shade.svg33'

South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg1–1Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon
Attendance: 41,532
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)
Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svg2–1Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Amman International Stadium, Amman (Jordan) [note 4]
Attendance: 7,305
Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svg0–1Flag of Oman.svg  Oman
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, Kuwait City
Attendance: 41,322
Referee: Salman Ahmad Falahi (Qatar)

Oman  Flag of Oman.svg0–3Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Olwan Soccerball shade.svg45+7' (pen.), 51', 64'
Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat
Attendance: 13,878
Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg0–2Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Basra International Stadium, Basra
Attendance: 55,972
Referee: Yusuke Araki (Japan)
Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svg0–2Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, Kuwait City
Attendance: 5,250
Referee: Sadullo Gulmurodi (Tajikistan)

South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg4–0Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svg0–1Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Amman International Stadium, Amman
Attendance: 15,502
Referee: Omar Al-Ali (United Arab Emirates)
Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svg1–1Flag of Oman.svg  Oman
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
King Abdullah II Stadium, Amman (Jordan) [note 4]
Attendance: 8,500
Referee: Mooud Bonyadifard (Iran)

Group C

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Japan.svg Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Flag of Indonesia.svg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Flag of Bahrain.svg
1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 10721303+2723 2026 FIFA World Cup 1–1 0–0 6–0 7–0 2–0
2Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 10541167+919 1–0 0–0 5–1 3–1 0–1
3Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 1034378113 Fourth round 0–2 1–2 1–1 1–0 0–0
4Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 103349201112 0–4 0–0 2–0 1–0 1–0
5Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 10307720139 1–3 0–2 1–2 2–1 1–0
6Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 10136516116 0–5 2–2 0–2 2–2 0–1
Source: AFC, FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg0–1Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Robina Stadium, Gold Coast
Attendance: 24,644
Referee: Omar Al-Ali (United Arab Emirates)
Japan  Flag of Japan.svg7–0Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–1Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)

Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svg0–0Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Attendance: 70,059
Referee: Salman Ahmad Falahi (Qatar)
China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg1–2Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Dalian Suoyuwan Football Stadium, Dalian
Attendance: 48,628
Referee: Nasrullo Kabirov (Tajikistan)
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svg0–5Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa
Attendance: 22,729
Referee: Rustam Lutfullin (Uzbekistan)

Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg3–1Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Attendance: 46,219
Referee: Nazmi Nasaruddin (Malaysia)
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svg2–2Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa
Attendance: 10,731
Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg0–2Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)

Japan  Flag of Japan.svg1–1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama [note 5]
Attendance: 58,730
Referee: Ahmed Al-Ali (Kuwait)
China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg2–1Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Qingdao Youth Football Stadium, Qingdao
Attendance: 37,133
Referee: Omar Al-Ali (United Arab Emirates)
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg0–0Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
Attendance: 35,437
Referee: Salman Ahmad Falahi (Qatar)

Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg0–0Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne
Attendance: 27,491
Referee: Adel Al-Naqbi (United Arab Emirates)
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svg0–1Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svg0–4Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)

China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg1–3Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svg2–0Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Attendance: 55,970
Referee: Rustam Lutfullin (Uzbekistan)
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svg2–2Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)

Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg5–1Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 35,241
Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)
Japan  Flag of Japan.svg2–0Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–0Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh
Attendance: 24,742
Referee: Omar Al-Ali (United Arab Emirates)

Japan  Flag of Japan.svg0–0Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama
Attendance: 58,003
Referee: Ahmed Al-Ali (Kuwait)
China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg0–2Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svg1–0Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Attendance: 69,599
Referee: Sadullo Gulmurodi (Tajikistan)

Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg1–0Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Perth Stadium, Perth
Attendance: 57,226
Referee: Qasim Al-Hatmi (Oman)
Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svg1–0Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Attendance: 69,661
Referee: Rustam Lutfullin (Uzbekistan)
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svg0–2Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa
Attendance: 15,075
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)

Japan  Flag of Japan.svg6–0Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg1–0Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Longxing Football Stadium, Chongqing
Attendance: 51,236
Referee: Adel Al-Naqbi (United Arab Emirates)
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–2Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)

Goalscorers

There were 231 goals scored in 90 matches, for an average of 2.57 goals per match.

5 goals

4 goals

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

1 own goal

Discipline

A player was automatically suspended for the next match for the following infractions: [16]

The following suspensions were served during the third round:

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 North Korea chose Vientiane, Laos, as their home site for their matches against Qatar, Iran and Uzbekistan due to "security concerns". [7] [8]
  2. AFC moved the match to a neutral venue due to security concerns relating to the October 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran (Operation Days of Repentance). [9]
  3. 1 2 North Korea chose Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as their home site for their matches against the United Arab Emirates and Kyrgyzstan due to "security concerns". [10]
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Palestine played all their home matches at a neutral venue until further notice, due to the ongoing Gaza war. [11]
  5. 1 2 Because of traffic accidents holding up the Australians on the Shuto Expressway, Football Australia and JFA jointly requested to slightly postpone the match, but were denied by the AFC match commissioner. [12] [13] Australia started warming up at 19:06, 29 minutes before kick-off. [13] Australia, staying in the Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo in downtown 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]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "AFC Competitions Calendar (Jul 2024 – Jun 2025)" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  2. "Asia's pathway to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 confirmed". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Third round cast finalised". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  4. "Road to 26 draw to reveal riveting battles for Asian contenders". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  5. "Draw procedures for the AFC Preliminary Draw for the FIFA World Cup 26" (PDF). FIFA. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
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  12. 1 2 3 Smyth, Rob (15 October 2024). "Admirable defensive performance earns the Socceroos a vital point in a match of two own goals against the Samurai Blue". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 October 2024. 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
  13. 1 2 McKern, James (15 October 2024). "Socceroos dudded by 'scandalous' decision after chaotic scenes unfold". News.com.au . Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  14. Australia men's national soccer team [@Socceroos] (15 October 2024). "One final stretch of the legs on matchday. Tonight's kick off in Japan awaits" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 October 2024 via Twitter. [photos of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo]
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