Group B: Palestine 2-1 Iraq

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Group B: Palestine 2-1 Iraq

Amman: Palestine created history as they came from behind to defeat Iraq 2-1 in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B tie on Tuesday. 

It is Palestine’s first ever win at this stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers as they inflicted a body blow to Iraq’s hopes of automatic qualification to next year’s FIFA World Cup.

The win revived Palestine’s hopes of advancing to the playoffs and left Iraq a point behind second-placed Jordan with only the top two to qualify automatically. The third and fourth-placed teams will advance to the playoff where an additional two slots will be at stake.

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#AsianQualifiers - MD8: Results & Reports

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

#AsianQualifiers - MD8: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran joined Japan in qualifying for next year's FIFA World Cup after fighting back to hold Uzbekistan 2-2 in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A tie as Matchday 8 concluded on Tuesday.

The result meant Iran are assured of a top two finish after moving to 20 points, with Uzbekistan also well placed to advance as they hold a four-point lead over the United Arab Emirates with two matchdays remaining.

Jordan hung on to second place in Group B after a 1-1 draw with Korea Republic, with Iraq a point adrift after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Palestine, who won at this stage of the AFC Asian Qualifies for the first time. Korea Republic, despite playing to a third successive draw, remain in pole position in Group B.

Australia opened a three-point lead over Saudi Arabia following a 2-0 win against China PR. The Socceroos sit on 13 points, seven adrift of already-qualified Japan, who played to a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia.

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD1 Results & Reports

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD1 Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday One of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round lived up to expectations as the 24 teams kicked off their campaigns with highs and lows.

With only the six group winners to qualify for the continental showpiece, several teams got off to a fast start in the race to join the 18 sides who sealed their spots after advancing to the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26.

Stay updated on all the thrills and spills with the-AFC.com.

Group A: IR Iran 2-2 Uzbekistan

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Group A: IR Iran 2-2 Uzbekistan

Tehran: Mehdi Taremi scored twice as Islamic Republic of Iran clinched their berth at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a 2-2 stalemate with Uzbekistan in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A tie on Tuesday.

Iran twice had to come from behind to deny Uzbekistan victory, with the result taking them to 20 points which assures them of their ticket to the United States, Canada and Mexico showpiece.

Uzbekistan - on 17 points - remain in pole position to reach their first-ever FIFA World Cup with only the United Arab Emirates still able to catch them. 

Group A: Kyrgyz Republic 3-1 Qatar

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Group A: Kyrgyz Republic 3-1 Qatar

Bishkek: Two goals in 11 minutes earned Kyrgyz Republic a 3-1 win over 10-man Qatar in Bishkek on Tuesday to keep alive the Central Asian nation’s hopes of a place in the playoffs of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 as Maksim Lisitskin’s side claimed victory in Group A.

Aleksandr Mischenko thumped a left-foot strike from distance beyond Meshaal Barsham to put the Central Asians on front with eight minutes remaining and Alimardon Shukurov put the result beyond doubt with a neat finish three minutes into injury time.

Those goals came after Valeriy Kichin’s opener in first half injury time had been cancelled out by Lucas Mendes in the 52nd minute, two minutes before the defender was sent off to leave the AFC Asian Cup holders shorthanded.

The win was Kyrgyz Republic’s second in the third phase of the preliminaries and moves Lisitskin’s side onto six points from eight matches, four adrift of the fourth-placed Qataris with two games remaining.

Group C: Indonesia 1-0 Bahrain

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Group C: Indonesia 1-0 Bahrain

Jakarta: Indonesia reignited their hopes of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 1-0 win over Bahrain in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Tuesday.

The hosts proved the more hungrier, and their second win in eight matches took them to nine points, four behind second-placed Australia with two matches to play.

Group C: China PR 0-2 Australia

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Group C: China PR 0-2 Australia

Hangzhou: First half goals from Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay steered Australia to a crucial 2-0 win over China PR in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium on Tuesday.

Tony Popovic’s Australia stayed second on 13 points, moving three ahead of Saudi Arabia with two matchdays remaining. Only the top two sides qualify automatically for the Finals, with Japan having already confirmed their spot. 

Group C: Japan 0-0 Saudi Arabia

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Group C: Japan 0-0 Saudi Arabia

Saitama: Saudi Arabia held off a dominant Japan to pick up a much-needed point on Tuesday as Herve Renard’s side drew 0-0 with the Samurai Blue at Saitama Stadium in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26.

The Green Falcons picked up their fourth point of the window after defeating China PR 2-0 in Riyadh on Thursday and now sit on 10 points in the quest for the remaining automatic berth at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Japan continue to lead Group C having dropped points for only the second time in the campaign, the draw moving Hajime Moriyasu’s already-qualified Samurai Blue onto 20 points from eight games.

Group E: Syria 2-0 Pakistan

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Group E: Syria 2-0 Pakistan

Al Ahsa: Syria overcame a determined Pakistan 2-0 in their opening AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group E match at the Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium on Tuesday. 

Their first three points mean the West Asians are in prime position to qualify for their third consecutive appearance at the continental showpiece.

Group F: Malaysia 2-0 Nepal

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Group F: Malaysia 2-0 Nepal

Johor Bahru: Malaysia started a new era under head coach Peter Cklamovski with a 2-0 win against Nepal in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group F match on Tuesday.

Hector Hevel scored on his international debut for Malaysia with Corbin Ong netting in the second half to seal victory.

Group D: Thailand 1-0 Sri Lanka

Tue, 25 Mar, 2025

Group D: Thailand 1-0 Sri Lanka

Bangkok: A first half strike from Patrik Gustavsson secured Thailand a 1-0 victory over Sri Lanka in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group D tie at the Rajamangala Stadium on Tuesday.

Thailand’s fluidity in attacks won them the game but Sri Lanka goalkeeper Weerasinghe Sujan Perera’s agility avoided a larger score.

Group C: India 0-0 Bangladesh

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Group C: India 0-0 Bangladesh

Shillong: India and Bangladesh were left frustrated after playing to a 0-0 stalemate in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group D tie at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday.

India came into the tie full of confidence following their recent 3-0 friendly win over Maldives with Sunil Chhetri marking his International return with a goal, while Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury was aiming to impress for Bangladesh.