#AsianQualifiers - MD7: 5 things to look out for

Wed, 19 Mar, 2025

#AsianQualifiers - MD7: 5 things to look out for

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday 7 of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 promises thrills and spills as the 18 teams resume their respective campaigns after a four-month break.

With nine matches to be played across the continent, the-AFC.com picks out five things to look out for on Thursday.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/video/afc-asian-qualifiers™-road-to-26-–-matchday-7-preview

#AsianQualifiers Match Predictor: Undefeated dominance, unexpected results and everything you need to know ahead of MD7

Wed, 19 Mar, 2025

#AsianQualifiers Match Predictor: Undefeated dominance, unexpected results and everything you need to know ahead of MD7

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers™ Road to 26 is reaching fever pitch and, after a four-month wait, brace for explosive Matchdays Seven and Eight, where the standings are set to be shaken as the final push for places at the FIFA World Cup begins. 

Speaking of shaking things up, how’s your Match Predictor campaign going?  Need a quick recap of what’s occurred before locking in your picks for the upcoming games? Well, you’re in the right place!  

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to take part in our free-to-play AFC Asian Qualifiers™ Road to 26 Match Predictor at https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/predictor.html?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=topMenuBar&utm_campaign=aqmatchpredictor&utm_content=ENG 

Alright, let’s get to it.  

Preview - Group A: Qatar v DPR Korea

Wed, 19 Mar, 2025

Preview - Group A: Qatar v DPR Korea

Doha: Luis Garcia will expect Qatar to be firing on all cylinders when they face DPR Korea in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A tie on Thursday.

Hoping to qualify for the FIFA World Cup on merit after hosting the 2022 edition, Qatar's inconsistency in the first six matches left them in fourth place with just seven points.

Preview - Group A: IR Iran v UAE

Wed, 19 Mar, 2025

Preview - Group A: IR Iran v UAE

Tehran: Victory for Islamic Republic of Iran against United Arab Emirates in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Thursday will almost surely confirm their spot at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Iran will welcome UAE to the Azadi Stadium holding a three-point lead over second-placed Uzbekistan while UAE are a further three adrift.

Preview - Group A: Uzbekistan v Kyrgyz Republic

Wed, 19 Mar, 2025

Preview - Group A: Uzbekistan v Kyrgyz Republic

Tashkent: Timur Kapadze will aim to continue Srecko Katanec's good work when Uzbekistan welcome Kyrgyz Republic to the Bunyodkor Stadium for their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A tie on Thursday.

Uzbekistan legend Kapadze replaced Katanec as head coach after the Slovenian stepped down due to health issues.

Preview - Group B: Korea Republic v Oman

Wed, 19 Mar, 2025

Preview - Group B: Korea Republic v Oman

Goyang: Korea Republic will expect to confirm an 11th consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 with two victories over the next few days.

Leading the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B standings with 14 points, Korea Republic face Oman on Thursday with Jordan to follow five days later, with the East Asian side to have home advantage for both ties.

Preview - Group B: Jordan v Palestine

Wed, 19 Mar, 2025

Preview - Group B: Jordan v Palestine

Amman: Jordan will be desperate for maximum points when they host Palestine in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B tie on Thursday.

Jordan, on nine points, are two behind Iraq with Korea Republic a further two ahead.

Preview - Group B: Iraq v Kuwait

Wed, 19 Mar, 2025

Preview - Group B: Iraq v Kuwait

Basra: Iraq will be out to tighten their grip on an automatic qualification slot when they host Kuwait in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B tie on Thursday.

Seeking a second appearance at the FIFA World Cup, Iraq sit second in the standings with 11 points, three behind Korea Republic but - crucially - two ahead of Jordan.

Preview - Group C: Saudi Arabia v China PR

Wed, 19 Mar, 2025

Preview - Group C: Saudi Arabia v China PR

Riyadh: Herve Renard has yet to taste victory since returning and Frenchman will be hoping Saudi Arabia will correct that when they host China PR in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Thursday.

Both teams will head into the tie level on six points and need victory to stay in the race for an automatic slot to the FIFA World Cup 26.

Preview - Group C: Japan v Bahrain

Thu, 20 Mar, 2025

Preview - Group C: Japan v Bahrain

Saitama: Victory for Japan against Bahrain at the Saitama Stadium 2002 on Thursday will confirm their ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 with three matches to spare.

Hajime Moriyasu's side have been unstoppable in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 and Bahrain can expect a tough 90 minutes as Japan seek their sixth win in seven matches.

Preview - Group C: Australia v Indonesia

Thu, 20 Mar, 2025

Preview - Group C: Australia v Indonesia

Sydney: Australia and Indonesia will have no margin for error when they square off in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group C tie on Thursday.

With Japan the runaway leaders and expected to book their spot on Thursday, the fight is to finish second in Group C, with Australia holding only a one-point lead over the four teams below them.