Shaikh Salman congratulates Asian history-makers

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Shaikh Salman congratulates Asian history-makers

Kuala Lumpur: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has congratulated the six Asian sides for clinching their places in the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026 following the conclusion of Matchday 10 of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 on Tuesday.

Jordan and Uzbekistan created history on Matchday 9 by sealing their first-ever spots at the global showpiece with the Korea Republic also sealing an unprecedented 11th consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance, whilst Australia booked their tickets on the final matchday after defeating Saudi Arabia 2-1 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

Australia take final spot; Oman through to playoffs

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Australia take final spot; Oman through to playoffs

Kuala Lumpur: Australia booked the final automatic ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 concluded on Tuesday.

There was joy for Oman as well as they advanced to the playoffs, where an additional two tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be at stake.

Group C: Saudi Arabia 1-2 Australia

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Group C: Saudi Arabia 1-2 Australia

Jeddah: Australia secured automatic qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the result confirming the Socceroos’ second-place finish in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26.

Abdulrahman Al Obud gave Saudi Arabia hope they could claim the five goal win needed to overhaul Tony Popovic’s side when he struck in the 19th minute but Connor Metcalfe’s equaliser three minutes before the break calmed Australian nerves.

Mitch Duke’s header three minutes after the restart gave Australia the lead and the visitors held on as Maty Ryan saved a late Salem Al Dawsari penalty to claim a win that secures the second automatic berth at the finals alongside group winners Japan.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, will progress to October’s playoffs where six nations will battle for the two remaining guaranteed slots at the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico for Asian representatives.

Group B: Palestine 1-1 Oman

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Group B: Palestine 1-1 Oman

Amman: Issam Al Sabhi converted a penalty seven minutes into stoppage time to give Oman a 1-1 draw against Palestine in their final Group B clash in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Tuesday.

Al Sabhi's goal at Jordan’s King Abdullah II Stadium cancelled out Oday Kharoub’s first international goal for Palestine, giving Oman 11 points and booking them the last spot in the playoffs for the FIFA World Cup 2026

Group B: Jordan 0-1 Iraq

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Group B: Jordan 0-1 Iraq

Amman: Iraq edged Jordan 1-0 in their concluding AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B tie at the Amman International Stadium on Tuesday.

The result had no bearing on either team, with Jordan having already qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and Iraq to navigate the playoffs in order to reach the global showpiece.

Group A: IR Iran 3-0 DPR Korea

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Group A: IR Iran 3-0 DPR Korea

Tehran: Late goals from Mehdi Mohebi, Mehdi Taremi and Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh earned the Islamic Republic of Iran a 3-0 win over 10-man DPR Korea at the Azadi Stadium on Tuesday to seal top spot in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26.

The visitors frustrated Amir Ghalenoi’s side until Kye Tam was sent off for a foul on Omid Noorafkan with 24 minutes remaining and the Iranians took advantage, with Mohebi putting his side ahead in the 74th minute and Taremi adding the second three minutes later.

Hosseinzadeh completed the scoring three minutes into injury time with a composed finish on the run.

Victory confirmed the Iranians, who secured their qualification for the FIFA World Cup in March, as the winners of Group A ahead Uzbekistan while DPR Korea finished rooted to the bottom of the standings at the completion of the third phase of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.

Group A: Kyrgyz Republic 1-1 United Arab Emirates

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Group A: Kyrgyz Republic 1-1 United Arab Emirates

Bishkek: Kyrgyz Republic’s never-say-die attitude saw them grab a last-gasp goal to hold United Arab Emirates to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A tie on Tuesday.

Kyrgyz Republic’s late salvo at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium saw them end their campaign on eight points while Cosmin Olaroiu continues to wait for his first win as UAE head coach with his side finishing on 15 points.

Group A: Uzbekistan 3-0 Qatar

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Group A: Uzbekistan 3-0 Qatar

Tashkent: Uzbekistan closed their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Qatar on Tuesday.

Timur Kapadze’s men, who have already booked their spot in their first FIFA World Cup Finals, finished with 21 points from 10 matches.

Qatar will have to navigate the playoffs, where two additional places at next year's global showpiece are up for grabs. The West Asians finished fourth in Group A with 13 points.

Group B: Korea Republic 4-0 Kuwait

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Group B: Korea Republic 4-0 Kuwait

Seoul: Korea Republic closed out their campaign with a resounding 4-0 win over Kuwait in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Tuesday.

The win meant Korea Republic ended their campaign unbeaten with 22 points, with Kuwait finishing at the foot of the table.

Group C: China PR 1-0 Bahrain

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Group C: China PR 1-0 Bahrain

Chongqing: Teenager Wang Yudong scored from the penalty spot three minutes into stoppage time to give China PR a 1-0 win over Bahrain in their final AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group C match on Tuesday.

The result saw China PR finishing fifth in the group with nine points, with Bahrain three adrift with both teams having already been eliminated.

Group C: Japan 6-0 Indonesia

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Group C: Japan 6-0 Indonesia

Suita: Daichi Kamada scored twice in the first half to lead Japan to a 6-0 defeat of Indonesia on Tuesday as Hajime Moriyasu’s side closed out their successful AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 campaign with a seventh win in 10 matches in Group C.

Kamada gave Japan the lead with a 15th minute header and, after Takefuso Kubo doubled the advantage four minutes later, the Crystal Palace forward scored his side’s third six minutes into first half injury time.

Ryoya Morishita and Shuto Machino added the fourth and fifth in the 55th and 58th minutes respectively and substitute Mao Hosoya thumped in his side’s sixth with nine minutes remaining as Japan celebrated their qualification for the FIFA World Cup with a huge win.