Playoffs - Preview Group B: Saudi Arabia v Iraq

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Playoffs - Preview Group B: Saudi Arabia v Iraq

Jeddah: The stage is set for a grand battle between Saudi Arabia and Iraq when they meet in their decisive AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Playoffs Group B tie on Tuesday.

It’s a winners-take-all match with the victors booking their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 while the beaten side will advance to a playoff against the Group A runners-up, with the winners to bid for one final chance in the FIFA Playoff Tournament.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/video/asianqualifiers-road-to-26-playoffs-|-group-b-indonesia-2-3-saudi-arabia

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3121863

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/video/asianqualifiers-road-to-26-playoffs-|-group-b-iraq-1-0-indonesia

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3121867

Playoffs - Preview Group A: Qatar v UAE

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Playoffs - Preview Group A: Qatar v UAE

Doha: United Arab Emirates will be brimming with confidence when they face Qatar in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Playoffs Group A tie on Tuesday.

The Emiratis staged a late fightback to overcome Oman 2-1 on Saturday to lead the Group A standings and only need to avoid defeat at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium to secure automatic qualification.

Iraq's Arnold demands focus after Indonesia win

Sun, 12 Oct, 2025

Iraq's Arnold demands focus after Indonesia win

Jeddah: Iraq head coach Graham Arnold wasted little time in turning his attention to Tuesday’s crunch AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Playoffs clash with Saudi Arabia after his side notched up a 1-0 win over Indonesia in Jeddah on Saturday.

Zidane Iqbal’s strike 14 minutes from time earned the Iraqis a narrow victory to set up the showdown between the West Asian sides while ending Indonesia’s hopes of a first FIFA World Cup appearance since the country’s independence in 1949.

Olaroiu hails UAE's spirit

Sun, 12 Oct, 2025

Olaroiu hails UAE's spirit

Doha: Cosmin Olaroiu was proud of the resilience shown by the United Arab Emirates in the 2-1 win against Oman in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Playoffs on Saturday.

Trailing to Kouame Kouadio's first half own goal, UAE turned on the power in the closing minutes of the tie to turn the match around, with Marcus Meloni and Caio Lucas scoring to keep their hopes of a second FIFA World Cup Finals appearance alive.

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD4 Preview

Mon, 13 Oct, 2025

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD4 Preview

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Four of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round  is set to be a spectacular affair with several teams on the brink of qualifying, while others are in desperate need of points to revive their campaigns.

With only the six group winners to advance Saudi Arabia 2027, fans can expect those still in contention to produce their best.

The-AFC.com takes a look at how the groups stand ahead of Tuesday’s action.

Qualifiers Final Round - MD3: 5 Takeaways

Sat, 11 Oct, 2025

Qualifiers Final Round - MD3: 5 Takeaways

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Three of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round was a sizzling affair with all 12 matches delivering thrills and spills.

Clear favourites began to emerge while there were also last gasp wins and draws.

The-AFC.com highlights five key takeaways from a pulsating matchday.