Group A: Afghanistan 0-0 India

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Group A: Afghanistan 0-0 India

Abha: Afghanistan and India played to a goalless draw in Group A of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at Damac Stadium on Thursday.

The result took India to four points from three matches, while for Afghanistan, this was their first point. The teams meet again in Guwahati on Tuesday.

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Round 2 - MD3: Results & Reports

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Round 2 - MD3: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Three of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Thursday with another round of exciting action across the continent.

Reigning AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar, Japan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Australia remained firmly in control of their respective groups with victories while Korea Republic were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Thailand. 
 
The nine group winners and the respective runners-up will advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifying, and at the same time seal their places at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
 
The other 18 teams from Round 2 will proceed directly to the third and final round of AFC Asian Cup qualifying. Stay updated on all the reaction from Thursday's matches with the-AFC.com with the teams to play again on Tuesday. 

Group A: Qatar 3-0 Kuwait

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Group A: Qatar 3-0 Kuwait

Doha: Qatar turned on the power in the second half to defeat Kuwait 3-0 on Thursday to remain perfect in Group A of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ MVP and Top Scorer Akram Afif netted twice and the Maroons could well seal their place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 with a second win over Kuwait in the reverse  fixture on Tuesday. 

Group C: Singapore 2-2 China PR

Thu, 21 Mar, 2024

Group C: Singapore 2-2 China PR

Singapore: A spirited second half display saw Singapore come from behind to hold China PR to a 2-2 draw in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group C encounter on Thursday.

Tsutomu Ogura’s tactical changes in the second period saw Singapore earn their first point in the group, displaying plenty of fighting spirit to claw their way back from 2-0 down.
 
The two sides meet again at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium on Tuesday, with China PR on four points.

Group D: Oman 2-0 Malaysia

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Group D: Oman 2-0 Malaysia

Muscat: Oman got their campaign back on track with a 2-0 win over Malaysia in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

The win saw Oman move to the top of the group on goal difference, with the West Asian side tied on six points with Kyrgyz Republic and Malaysia. 

Group E: IR Iran 5-0 Turkmenistan

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Group E: IR Iran 5-0 Turkmenistan

Tehran: Defender Hossein Kanani scored twice as the Islamic Republic of Iran cruised to a 5-0 win over Turkmenistan in Tehran on Thursday to stay on top of Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Sardar Azmoun, Mohammad Mohebi and Omid Noorafkan were also on target at the Azadi Stadium for Team Melli, who joined Uzbekistan on seven points from three games with Amir Ghalenoi’s side leading the standings on goal-difference at the halfway point.
 
The Iranians will next travel to Ashgabat to face Turkmenistan again on Tuesday when victory would be enough to guarantee their progress to the next phase of the preliminaries.

Group F: Indonesia 1-0 Vietnam

Thu, 21 Mar, 2024

Group F: Indonesia 1-0 Vietnam

Jakarta: Indonesia revived their chances of progression after a 1-0 win over Vietnam in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group F match on Thursday.

The victory, a repeat of the same scoreline from their encounter at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, took the Garudas to four points, one ahead of their Southeast Asian rivals with the two to meet again in Hanoi on Tuesday.

Group G: Saudi Arabia 1-0 Tajikistan

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Group G: Saudi Arabia 1-0 Tajikistan

Riyadh: Salem Al Dawsari’s first-half strike was enough to hand Saudi Arabia a 1-0 win over Tajikistan in Group G of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at Al Awwal Park on Thursday.

The two sides lock horns again in Dushanbe next week, with the Saudis maintaining a perfect record at the top of the group, while the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 quarter-finalists are second with four points.

Group H: United Arab Emirates 2-1 Yemen

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Group H: United Arab Emirates 2-1 Yemen

Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates continued their perfect start to the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group H with a 2-1 win over Yemen at Al Nahyan Stadium on Thursday.

The win means UAE retain the top spot in the group ahead of a trip to Saudi Arabia’s Al Khobar where they will face Yemen again in the reverse fixture.

Group I: Palestine 5-0 Bangladesh

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Group I: Palestine 5-0 Bangladesh

Kuwait City: Palestine secured their first win of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group I, defeating Bangladesh 5-0 at Jaber Al Ahmad Stadium on Thursday.

 The win takes Palestine past Lebanon into second place of Group I ahead of the reverse fixture next week in Dhaka where Bangladesh will attempt to get their first win of the campaign.