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)
← 2022
2030→

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

Contents

Format

The eighteen 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 will play against each other on a home-and-away basis. The top two teams of each group will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the third and fourth-placed teams will advance to 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 contains 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 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 (2023).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)

Schedule

The competition schedule is expected to be as follows: [1] [7]

MatchdayDateMatches
Matchday 15 September 20241 v 5, 2 v 4, 3 v 6
Matchday 210 September 20244 v 1, 5 v 3, 6 v 2
Matchday 310 October 20242 v 5, 3 v 1, 4 v 6
Matchday 415 October 20241 v 2, 3 v 4, 5 v 6
Matchday 514 November 20242 v 3, 4 v 5, 6 v 1
Matchday 619 November 20245 v 1, 4 v 2, 6 v 3
Matchday 720 March 20251 v 4, 3 v 5, 2 v 6
Matchday 825 March 20255 v 2, 1 v 3, 6 v 4,
Matchday 95 June 20252 v 1, 4 v 3, 6 v 5
Matchday 1010 June 20253 v 2, 5 v 4, 1 v 6

Group A

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Iran.svg Flag of Qatar.svg Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Flag of Kyrgyzstan (2023).svg Flag of North Korea.svg
1Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 00000000 2026 FIFA World Cup — 15 Oct 25 Mar 20 Mar 5 Sep 10 Jun
2Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 00000000 5 Jun — 14 Nov 5 Sep 10 Oct 20 Mar
3Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 00000000 Fourth round 10 Oct 10 Jun — 15 Oct 20 Mar 5 Sep
4Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 00000000 10 Sep 19 Nov 5 Jun — 14 Nov 10 Oct
5Flag of Kyrgyzstan (2023).svg  Kyrgyzstan 00000000 19 Nov 25 Mar 10 Sep 10 Jun — 15 Oct
6Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 00000000 14 Nov 10 Sep 19 Nov 25 Mar 5 Jun —
First match(es) will be played: 5 September 2024. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Iran  Flag of Iran.svgvFlag of Kyrgyzstan (2023).svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report
Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium, Isfahan
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svgvFlag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svgvFlag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
Report
Milliy Stadium, Tashkent
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svgvFlag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report
Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan (2023).svgvFlag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svgvFlag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Report
New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane (Laos)
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svgvFlag of Kyrgyzstan (2023).svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svgvFlag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report
Milliy Stadium, Tashkent
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svgvFlag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
Report
Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
Iran  Flag of Iran.svgvFlag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Report
Azadi Stadium, Tehran
Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svgvFlag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report
Milliy Stadium, Tashkent
Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan (2023).svgvFlag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svgvFlag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Report
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svgvFlag of Kyrgyzstan (2023).svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report
North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svgvFlag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svgvFlag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Report
Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan (2023).svgvFlag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report
North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svgvFlag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Report
Iran  Flag of Iran.svgvFlag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svgvFlag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
Report
Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svgvFlag of Kyrgyzstan (2023).svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report
Iran  Flag of Iran.svgvFlag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Report
Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan (2023).svgvFlag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Report
North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svgvFlag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svgvFlag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svgvFlag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Report
North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svgvFlag of Kyrgyzstan (2023).svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report
Iran  Flag of Iran.svgvFlag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
Report
Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svgvFlag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Report
Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan (2023).svgvFlag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report

Group B

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of South Korea.svg Flag of Iraq.svg Flag of Jordan.svg Flag of Oman.svg Flag of Palestine.svg Flag of Kuwait.svg
1Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 00000000 2026 FIFA World Cup — 15 Oct 25 Mar 20 Mar 5 Sep 10 Jun
2Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq 00000000 5 Jun — 14 Nov 5 Sep 10 Oct 20 Mar
3Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 00000000 Fourth round 10 Oct 10 Jun — 15 Oct 20 Mar 5 Sep
4Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 00000000 10 Sep 19 Nov 5 Jun — 14 Nov 10 Oct
5Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine 00000000 19 Nov 25 Mar 10 Sep 10 Jun — 15 Oct
6Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 00000000 14 Nov 10 Sep 19 Nov 25 Mar 5 Jun —
First match(es) will be played: 5 September 2024. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svgvFlag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Report
Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svgvFlag of Oman.svg  Oman
Report
Basra International Stadium, Basra
Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svgvFlag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Report
Amman International Stadium, Amman
Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svgvFlag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report
Kuala Lumpur Stadium, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) [note 1]
Oman  Flag of Oman.svgvFlag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
Report
Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat
Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svgvFlag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Report
Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, Kuwait City
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svgvFlag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Report
Basra International Stadium, Basra
Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svgvFlag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
Report
Amman International Stadium, Amman
Oman  Flag of Oman.svgvFlag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Report
Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat
South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svgvFlag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Report
Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul
Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svgvFlag of Oman.svg  Oman
Report
Amman International Stadium, Amman
Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svgvFlag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Report
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svgvFlag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report
Basra International Stadium, Basra
Oman  Flag of Oman.svgvFlag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Report
Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat
Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svgvFlag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
Report
Oman  Flag of Oman.svgvFlag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Report
Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svgvFlag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
Report
Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svgvFlag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report
South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svgvFlag of Oman.svg  Oman
Report
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svgvFlag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Report
Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svgvFlag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Report
South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svgvFlag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report
Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svgvFlag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Report
Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svgvFlag of Oman.svg  Oman
Report
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svgvFlag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
Report
Oman  Flag of Oman.svgvFlag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report
Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svgvFlag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Report
South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svgvFlag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Report
Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svgvFlag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Report
Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svgvFlag of Oman.svg  Oman
Report

Group C

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Japan.svg Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Flag of Bahrain.svg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Flag of Indonesia.svg
1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 00000000 2026 FIFA World Cup — 15 Oct 25 Mar 20 Mar 5 Sep 10 Jun
2Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 00000000 5 Jun — 14 Nov 5 Sep 10 Oct 20 Mar
3Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 00000000 Fourth round 10 Oct 10 Jun — 15 Oct 20 Mar 5 Sep
4Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 00000000 10 Sep 19 Nov 5 Jun — 14 Nov 10 Oct
5Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 00000000 19 Nov 25 Mar 10 Sep 10 Jun — 15 Oct
6Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 00000000 14 Nov 10 Sep 19 Nov 25 Mar 5 Jun —
First match(es) will be played: 5 September 2024. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Japan  Flag of Japan.svgvFlag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report
Saitama Stadium, Saitama
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svgvFlag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report
Robina Stadium, Gold Coast
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svgvFlag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Report
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svgvFlag of Japan.svg  Japan
Report
Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa
China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svgvFlag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report
Dalian Suoyuwan Football Stadium, Dalian
Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svgvFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svgvFlag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide [9]
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svgvFlag of Japan.svg  Japan
Report
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svgvFlag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Report
Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa
Japan  Flag of Japan.svgvFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report
Saitama Stadium, Saitama
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svgvFlag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svgvFlag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Report
Qingdao Youth Football Stadium, Qingdao
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svgvFlag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svgvFlag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report
Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa
Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svgvFlag of Japan.svg  Japan
Report
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svgvFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report
Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa
China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svgvFlag of Japan.svg  Japan
Report
Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svgvFlag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report
Japan  Flag of Japan.svgvFlag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svgvFlag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Report
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svgvFlag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report
Japan  Flag of Japan.svgvFlag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report
China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svgvFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report
Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svgvFlag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svgvFlag of Japan.svg  Japan
Report
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svgvFlag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report
Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svgvFlag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report
Japan  Flag of Japan.svgvFlag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Report
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svgvFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report
China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svgvFlag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report

Notes

  1. ↑ Palestine play all their home matches at a neutral venue until further notice, due to the ongoing Israel–Hamas war. [8]

Related Research Articles

The second round of AFC matches for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification was played from 24 May 2015 to 29 March 2016.

The 2016 AFC Cup group stage was played from 23 February to 11 May 2016. A total of 32 teams competed in the group stage to decide the 16 places in the knockout stage of the 2016 AFC Cup.

The third round of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification was played from 26 March 2017 to 27 March 2018.

The 2018 AFC U-19 Championship qualification was an international men's under-19 football competition to decide the participating teams for the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship.

The 2017 AFC Cup group stage was played from 20 February to 31 May 2017. A total of 34 teams competed in the group stage to decide the 11 places in the knockout stage of the 2017 AFC Cup.

The 2019 AFC U-16 Women's Championship qualification is a women's under-16 football competition which decides the participating teams of the 2019 AFC U-16 Women's Championship.

The 2019 AFC Cup group stage was played from 25 February to 26 June 2019. A total of 36 teams competed in the group stage to decide the 11 places in the knockout stage of the 2019 AFC Cup.

The AFC second round of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, which also served as the second round of 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification, was played from 5 September 2019 to 15 June 2021.

The 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification was the qualification tournament for the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iran national football team results (2020–present)</span>

This is a list of the Iran national football team results from 2020 to present.

The third round of 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification was played from 8 to 14 June 2022 in six centralised venues. It was originally scheduled for 30 March 2021 to 29 March 2022, but the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) changed the dates on multiple occasions due to postponements of matches in the second round, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia.

The 2021 AFC Cup group stage was played from 14 May to 24 August 2021. A total of 38 teams should have competed in the group stage to decide the 12 places in the knockout stage of the 2021 AFC Cup.

The 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup qualification is a women's under-20 football competition that will determine the participating teams in the 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup final tournament. Players born on or after 1 January 2004 are eligible to participate.

The 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification was an international men's under-20 football competition which was held to decide the participating teams of the 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup. It was held as under-20 tournament for the first time after rebranding by AFC.

The 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification was an international men's under-17 football competition which was held to decide the participating teams of the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup. It was held as under-17 tournament for the first time after rebranding by AFC.

The second round of 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC qualification, which also served as the second round of 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification, began on 16 November 2023 and was completed on 11 June 2024.

The 2023–24 AFC Cup group stage was played from 18 September to 11 December 2023. A total of 36 teams competed in the group stage to decide the 11 places in the knockout stage of the 2023–24 AFC Cup.

The 2023–24 AFC Cup knockout stage was played from 12 February to 5 May 2024. A total of 11 teams competed in the knockout stage to decide the champions of the 2023–24 AFC Cup.

The 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification is an international men's under-20 football competition which will be held to decide the participating teams of the 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup.

The 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two group stage will be played from September 17th to December 5th 2024. Top two teams from each group qualify for the knockout stage.

References

  1. 1 2 "AFC Competitions Calendar (Jul 2024 – Jun 2025)" (PDF). 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". Asian Football Confederation. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  3. ↑ "AFC Competitions Committee approves key decisions on reformatted competitions". the-AFC. Asian Football Confederation. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Third round cast finalised". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  5. ↑ "Road to 26 draw to reveal riveting battles for Asian contenders". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  6. ↑ "Draw procedures for the AFC Preliminary Draw for the FIFA World Cup 26" (PDF). FIFA. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  7. ↑ "Road to 26 - Draw Results & Match Schedule" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  8. ↑ "Malaysia to host Palestine vs Jordan World Cup Qualifier match". The Sun. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  9. ↑ "Subway Socceroos to play China PR at Adelaide Oval". socceroos.com.au. 19 July 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.