Road to 26 Playoffs draw to set stage for remaining contenders

Mon, 23 Jun, 2025

Road to 26 Playoffs draw to set stage for remaining contenders

Kuala Lumpur: The six teams still in the running for FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification will discover their remaining battle paths at the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs draw at 3pm on July 17, 2025 (Thursday), at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Six of the eight direct berths on offer to Asia have already been claimed following the conclusion of the third qualifying round last month, which featured three groups of six teams. The third and fourth-placed sides from each of those groups — Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — will get another shot via the Playoffs, which is scheduled for October 8 to 14.

#AsianQualifiers - Vote for your best NEOM Future Star

Wed, 09 Jul, 2025

#AsianQualifiers - Vote for your best NEOM Future Star

Kuala Lumpur: A number of youngsters from across the continent dazzled at the recently concluded third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26. 

Asian football continues to produce talent with huge potential to reach the highest level, with the likes of Lee Kang-in and Takefusa Kubo among those who have earned global recognition in recent years. 
 
After the completion of the third round of AFC Asian Qualifiers, the-AFC.com picks 11 players who impressed for their respective nations and asks you to vote for your favourite rising star. 

Al Haydos returns as Qatar gear up for qualification push

Mon, 30 Jun, 2025

Al Haydos returns as Qatar gear up for qualification push

Doha: Former captain Hassan Al Haydos is set to make a sensational return to international football, with the Qatar Football Association (QFA) confirming the veteran’s inclusion in the squad for the fourth round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Qatar finished fourth in their group in the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26, missing out on automatic qualification. With the playoffs now looming, head coach Julen Lopetegui has turned to a blend of youth and experience in a bid to revive their World Cup hopes.

Ivankovic and China PR part ways

Sat, 28 Jun, 2025

Ivankovic and China PR part ways

Beijing: Branko Ivankovic has left his role as head coach of the China PR national team after his side were eliminated from the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 earlier in June.

The 71-year-old Croatian was removed from his role as a result of his team’s fifth place finish in Group C, which ended the country’s hopes of a first FIFA World Cup appearance since their debut at the Finals in Korea-Japan in 2002.

Play AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Build Your Dream XI and win prizes

Tue, 24 Jun, 2025

Play AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Build Your Dream XI and win prizes

Kuala Lumpur: Six nations booked their places in the FIFA World Cup 2026 after the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 and now it’s your chance to get involved and win some exciting prizes.  

The AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Build Your Dream XI gives you, the football fans, the opportunity to pick 11 of your favourite players from the Qualifiers and then answer a pop-up question to prove your tournament knowledge.  
 
Think you can spot greatness? Put your football instincts to test and stand a chance to win fantastic prizes by picking the perfect team from the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26. 

#AsianQualifiers - Vote for your VISA Best Goal of MD9 & 10

Sat, 14 Jun, 2025

#AsianQualifiers - Vote for your VISA Best Goal of MD9 & 10

Kuala Lumpur: The third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 concluded on Tuesday, June 10 with thrilling action across Asia. 

Islamic Republic of Iran, Uzbekistan, Korea Republic, Jordan, Japan and Australia have all now secured automatic qualification to next year’s FIFA World Cup while the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia kept their dreams alive by progressing to the fourth round. 
 
Following the decisive final couple of matchdays, the-AFC.com picks the best goals scored from Matchdays Nine and Ten so and asks you, the fans of Asian football, to vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article. 

Hosts of AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs confirmed

Thu, 12 Jun, 2025

Hosts of AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed the Qatar Football Association and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation as the Host Member Associations for the upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs.

Six teams, the third and fourth-placed sides from the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26, namely Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, will be divided into two groups of three teams to do battle in a centralised format from October 8 to 14, 2025, with the group winners securing the two remaining automatic berths at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

#AsianQualifiers - Facts & Figures

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

#AsianQualifiers - Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: Asia's automatic qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 were confirmed following the conclusion of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 on Tuesday.

There is, however, still hope for six teams but they will have to navigate through the playoffs to book a spot in next year's global showpiece to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The-AFC.com highlights several key facts and figures from an intense qualifying campaign that saw history being made.