The fourth-round qualification process completed for AFC in October, with Qatar and Saudi Arabia advancing to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The UAE and Iraq are headed to a final AFC playoff to determine which team AFC will send to the inter-continental playoff in the spring of 2026. We also have reviews for World Cup qualifying in CONCACAF and Africa.
Qatar Secures First World Cup Via Qualification
The 4th round of qualifying’s Group A pitted hosts Qatar against the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Qatar’s first game was a dull scoreless draw against Oman, but a 2-1 win over the UAE saw them qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after hosting the tournament in 2022. Naturalized Portuguese player Pedro scored the decisive goal, and perhaps the player of Cape Verde heritage could face Cape Verde in the World Cup. A late goal from Sultan Adil wasn’t enough for the UAE as they still seek their first World Cup appearance since 1990.
Oman’s loss to the UAE on October 11th decided second place in the group as the UAE boasts a squad of largely naturalized players from Brazil and other CONEMBOL nations. UAE manager Cosmin Olaroiu was quoted about this “For most of the players, they now have this possibility that they didn’t have in their countries. We have to respect this, and they have to respect this by paying back the things that this country has given to us.”
Saudi Arabia Reaches 8th FIFA World Cup
Group B was hosted by Saudi Arabia, a 3-2 win over Indonesia and a scoreless draw against Iraq was enough for the country that has made a massive investment in football, to reach the World Cup, a tournament they are set to host next decade. Indonesia’s largely Dutch based/heritage squad made things interesting, but ended up without a point in this stage of the tournament, despite the best efforts of FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes. Kevin Diks from Borussia Monchengladbach scored twice on penalties and Indonesia had a chance in their matchup but came up short. In the scoreless draw against Iraq, Saudi goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi had a match winning save.
On October 11th, facing Iraq, they were defeated 1-0 as Dutch based midfielder and former Manchester United prospect Zidane Iqbal, age 22, scored the decisive goal in the second half.
The UAE, which made the World Cup in 1990, hosts Iraq, who only appeared in the 1986 World Cup for the spot in the FIFA Inter-Confederation playoffs. The teams will play two legs in November.
Around the AFC Region, Japan Scores Impressive win over Brazil
Japan had two friendlies this window to prepare for the World Cup, they drew with Paraguay 2-2, before defeating Brazil in a 3-2 upset at home. Japan trailed 2-0 in the first half, before scoring three goals in an incredible comeback. From AFP “Striker Shuto Machino said that Monaco forward Minamino, standing in as captain for the injured Wataru Endo, had rallied the players before the game.
“We were playing a team that we had never beaten before, and Takumi told us to make this the game that changed our history,” said Machino.”
South Korea were defeated 5-0 by Brazil, before defeating Paraguay 2-0 in Seoul four days later.
Jordan, playing in their first World Cup in 2026, lost to Bolivia 1-0 and Albania 4-2, while Iran lost to Russia 2-1 and defeated Tanzania 2-1. Uzbekistan scored a win over Kuwait 2-0, but were defeated by Uruguay 2-1 a few days later.
Australia was outshot but scored an impressive win over Canada 1-0 in Montreal, before falling to Team USA 2-1 a few days later. Nestory Irankunda, a 19 year old from Watford, was the star of the window for Australia.
Main Photo Credit: Imago Images WangxDongzhen
