Year in Review - AFC Asian Qualifiers™

Kuala Lumpur: There is still all to play for in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 despite six matchdays having already been completed.

While Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan and Korea Republic look well placed to book tickets to the FIFA World Cup 26, several others have much to do when the AFC Asian Qualifiers resume in March 2025.

The top two teams from each of the three groups will earn automatic spots to the FIFA World Cup 26.

A further two slots are available via playoffs involving the third and fourth-placed teams from the three groups while an additional spot is possible through the inter-confederation playoffs.

Group A

Iran - seeking a fourth consecutive and seventh overall appearance on the global stage - lead the Group A standings with 16 points, three ahead of Uzbekistan.

Team Melli were in fine form over the six matchdays and will aim to consolidate their position when they play the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan in March.

#AsianQualifiers - Road To 26 | Group A : Kyrgyz Republic 2 - 3 IR Iran

Uzbekistan, in search of an inaugural appearance at the FIFA World Cup, will also be out to strengthen their position in the group, which sees them holding a three-point advantage over the UAE.

Uzbekistan will host Kyrgyz Republic on March 20 before playing Iran in what will surely be a pivotal clash.

#AsianQualifiers - Road To 26 | Group A : UAE 5 - 0 Qatar

UAE, whose only appearance at the FIFA World Cup was in 1990, reignited their hopes with impressive wins over Qatar and Kyrgyz Republic in the November fixtures and will aim for maximum points against Iran and DPR Korea in March.

The 5-0 defeat to UAE on Matchday Six means Qatar, on seven points, have no margin for error in their remaining four games and the two-time AFC Asian Cup™ champions have to defeat DPR Korea and Kyrgyz Republic in March.

#AsianQualifiers - Road To 26 | Group A : DPR Korea 0 - 1 Uzbekistan

Kyrgyz Republic ended Matchday Six on three points but the Central Asian side, making their debut at this stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers, held their own in the previous games and will be tough nuts to crack.

Two points after six matches mean DPR Korea's hopes of securing an automatic berth is all but gone but with the playoff berths still within reach, the East Asian side will be fired up when the AFC Asian Qualifiers resume.

Group B

A three-point lead following the conclusion of Matchday Six means Korea Republic are well on course for an 11th successive and 12th overall appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

Gritty Palestine denied Son Heung-min's side a wider advantage following a 1-1 draw on Matchday Six but Korea Republic - on 14 points - could seal their spot with victories in the March fixtures against Oman and Jordan.

Hoping to accompany them will be Iraq, whose only appearance at the FIFA World Cup was in the 1986 edition.

They ended Matchday Six two points ahead of Jordan and will seek victories against Kuwait and Palestine to boost their chances of earning an automatic spot in the Finals.

#AsianQualifiers - Road To 26 | Group B : Oman 0 - 1 Iraq

Jordan, however, are bidding for an inaugural appearance at the FIFA World Cup and will not concede defeat easily, with the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ runners-up to play Palestine before meeting Korea Republic.

Oman will also look to revive their campaign but will need to be at their best against Korea Republic and Kuwait if they are to add to the six points they currently have.

#AsianQualifiers - Road To 26 | Group B : Kuwait 1 - 1 Jordan

Kuwait, whose only previous appearance at the FIFA World Cup was in 1982, face pivotal matches against Iraq and Oman with the former AFC Asian Cup winners on four points.

Victory eluded Palestine, making their debut at this stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers in the first six matches, but two draws with Korea Republic proved their quality and determination to excel and despite the automatic qualification spots looking out of reach, they can still aim for the playoffs.

Group C

Japan held a commanding nine-point lead at the end of Matchday Six and victory against Bahrain on March 20 will see them booking an eighth consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup with three matches to spare.

Hajime Moriyasu's side were unstoppable, with the 1-1 draw with Australia on Matchday Four the only points dropped in what has been a stellar qualifying campaign.

With Japan so dominant, the race is to finish second and it will be exciting to the end with all five sides below the Samurai Blue still in the running.

AsianQualifiers - Road To 26 | Group C : Bahrain 2 - 2 Australia

Australia sit alone in second place on seven points, with Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China PR one adrift which means the March fixtures will be crucial for all five sides.

Australia meet Indonesia and China PR in March, with the Indonesians to also meet Bahrain while China PR play Saudi Arabia before taking on Australia.

#AsianQualifiers - Road To 26 | Group C : Indonesia 2 - 0 Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, seeking a seventh appearance at the FIFA World Cup, play Japan after their tie against China PR with the Samurai Blue to meet Bahrain in their first March fixture.

With so much at stake, the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 promises more thrills and spills when action resumes in March.

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