Road to 26 Match Predictor: Race for the FIFA World Cup 2026 spots heats up

Wed, 04 Jun, 2025

Road to 26 Match Predictor: Race for the FIFA World Cup 2026 spots heats up

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 campaign is almost at the finish line as Matchdays Nine and Ten promise intense competition that will shake up the standings as teams make their final push for a place at the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

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 by clicking HERE.  

Enough talk, let’s get to the action.  

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Preview - Group A: UAE v Uzbekistan

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group A: UAE v Uzbekistan

Abu Dhabi: United Arab Emirates stand in Uzbekistan's way with the Central Asian nation on the verge of securing FIFA World Cup qualification for the first time.

Timur Kapadze's Uzbekistan only need to avoid defeat against UAE in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A tie to join Islamic Republic of Iran at next year's global extravaganza.
 
UAE, however, will go into the tie at the Al Nahyan Stadium determined to - at the very least - delay Uzbekistan's celebrations.

Preview - Group A: Qatar v IR Iran

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group A: Qatar v IR Iran

Doha: Julen Lopetegui will be aiming to get his tenure off to a winning start when Qatar host Islamic Republic of Iran in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Thursday.

While Iran have already confirmed their FIFA World Cup 2026 appearance, Qatar's hopes depend on them advancing from the playoffs, with automatic qualification no longer an option.

Preview - Group A: DPR Korea v Kyrgyz Republic

Wed, 04 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group A: DPR Korea v Kyrgyz Republic

Riyadh: Kyrgyz Republic will be fighting to keep their hopes alive when they take on DPR Korea in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Thursday.

The Central Asian side have an outside chance of securing one of the two playoff spots while DPR Korea are out of the running.

Preview - Group B: Iraq v Korea Republic

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group B: Iraq v Korea Republic

Basra: Graham Arnold's Iraq will have to produce their best against Korea Republic on Thursday if they are to keep their hopes of automatic qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 alive.

The sides meet in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B tie in Basra with pacesetters Korea Republic out to confirm an 11th consecutive appearance on the global stage while Iraq need victory to keep second-placed Jordan in sight ahead of their showdown on Tuesday.

Preview - Group B: Oman v Jordan

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group B: Oman v Jordan

Muscat: Oman will aim to maximise home ground advantage when they welcome Jordan to the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex for their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B tie on Thursday.

Both sides are still in the running for direct entry into next year's FIFA World Cup, with Jordan in a more comfortable position.

#AsianQualifiers - MD9: How its stands

Sun, 01 Jun, 2025

#AsianQualifiers - MD9: How its stands

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 enters its home stretch with the final two matchdays to be played over the coming days.

With Islamic Republic of Iran and Japan having already confirmed their tickets to next year's Finals, only four automatic spots remain up for grabs. 

An additional two will be at stake in the playoffs, setting the stage for no-holds barred contests. The-AFC.com takes a look at the state of play in each of the three groups.

Preview - Group B: Kuwait v Palestine

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group B: Kuwait v Palestine

Al Ardiyah: Kuwait and Palestine will be equally desperate for victory when they square off in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Thursday.

While both have no chance of earning automatic qualification to next year's FIFA World Cup, the playoffs are still within reach although their respective fates are out of their hands.

Preview - Group C: Bahrain v Saudi Arabia

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group C: Bahrain v Saudi Arabia

Riffa: Bahrain and Saudi Arabia both know the score - only victory will suffice when they meet in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Thursday.

Bahrain are chasing a playoff spot while Saudi Arabia need the three points to keep their hopes of automatic qualification alive going into next Tuesday's final round of matches.

Preview - Group C: Indonesia v China PR

Thu, 05 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group C: Indonesia v China PR

Jakarta: Indonesia and China PR are set for a blockbuster clash when they meet in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Thursday.

Indonesia still have an outside chance of qualifying automatically for next year's FIFA World Cup while China PR need the three points to stand a chance of advancing to the playoffs, where are another two tickets to the global showpiece will be at stake.

Preview - Group C: Australia v Japan

Thu, 05 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group C: Australia v Japan

Perth: Australia will expect victory against Japan when the sides square off in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Thursday.

Japan have already confirmed their appearance at next year's FIFA World Cup while Australia are in pole position to claim the second automatic spot from the group.

New tacticians on crucial missions

Mon, 02 Jun, 2025

New tacticians on crucial missions

Kuala Lumpur: All eyes will be on a trio of head coaches as the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 approaches its climax with the final two matchdays.

Three teams will be led by new tacticians, with two still in the running for an automatic spot at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Vote for your NEOM Future Stars of the Season

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Vote for your NEOM Future Stars of the Season

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 not only crowned first time winners in Al Ahli Saudi FC but also showcased a new generation of footballers who put in some game-changing displays to make their mark on Asia’s premier club competition. 

So now it’s time for you, the fans, to celebrate the future of Asian football by voting for your NEOM Future Stars of the Season. We've shortlisted 10 players who lit up the competition and your vote will now decide who was the season’s standout youngster.