Round 2 - Group A: Kuwait 0-1 India

Fri, 29 Mar, 2024

Round 2 - Group A: Kuwait 0-1 India

Kuwait City: Manvir Singh struck 15 minutes from time to earn India a 1-0 win over hosts Kuwait as Igor Stimac’s side kicked off the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2027 by claiming all three points in their Group A opener on Thursday.

Singh’s first-time strike secured the Indians victory at the end of a keenly contested clash at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium, where many in the crowd had turned out to back the visitors.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2991474.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2991473.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2991475.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2991478.html

Round 2 - MD1: Results & Reports

Fri, 17 Nov, 2023

Round 2 - MD1: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday One of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ saw high octane action on Thursday.

There were resounding wins, hard-fought draws and heartbreaking defeats as the 36 teams began their respective campaigns across the continent.
 
The nine group winners and their 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.
 
Stay updated on all the action with the-AFC.com with Matchday Two to be played on Tuesday. 

Round 2 - Group A: Qatar 8-1 Afghanistan

Fri, 29 Mar, 2024

Round 2 - Group A: Qatar 8-1 Afghanistan

Al Rayyan: Four goals from Almoez Ali helped Qatar cruise 8-1 past Afghanistan in Group A of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday.

The home team needed just 11 minutes to open their account in the qualifiers through captain Hassan Al Haydos who arrived late in the box, picking up Akarm Afif’s pulled back pass and hammering it low into the back of the net.

Round 2 - Group D: Malaysia 4-3 Kyrgyz Republic

Fri, 29 Mar, 2024

Round 2 - Group D: Malaysia 4-3 Kyrgyz Republic

Kuala Lumpur: Arif Aiman set up all four goals and Faisal Halim scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Malaysia came from 3-1 down to defeat Kyrgyz Republic 4-3 in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group D opener at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Thursday.

Dion Cools headed the Malaysians in front inside 10 minutes but quickfire goals from Kairat Zhyrgalbek and Ernist Batyrkanov as the interval approached put the visitors in front at half-time.

Kai Merk made it three shortly before the hour but an own goal from Khristiyan Brauzman and another Cools header with 13 minutes to play levelled the contest before Faisal secured a stunning victory in the 93rd minute.

Group D: Oman 3-0 Chinese Taipei

Fri, 29 Mar, 2024

Group D: Oman 3-0 Chinese Taipei

Muscat: Oman kicked off the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with a 3-0 defeat of Chinese Taipei in Group D at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Thursday.

Omar Al Malki found the breakthrough with a header in the 17th minute before Ahmed Al Kaabi doubled Oman’s lead straight from a corner before the break. Mataz Saleh sealed the win with a late goal to help the hosts make a winning start to their qualification campaign. 

Round 2 - Group E: IR Iran 4-0 Hong Kong, China

Fri, 29 Mar, 2024

Round 2 - Group E: IR Iran 4-0 Hong Kong, China

Tehran: Sardar Azmoun struck twice as the Islamic Republic of Iran handed Hong Kong, China a 4-0 defeat in their opening game in Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 on Thursday.

Azmoun put his side two goals in front inside the opening 15 minutes at the Azadi Stadium before Mehdi Taremi added the third with three minutes remaining and Ramin Rezaeian curled in an injury time free kick for the fourth.

Round 2 - Group E: Turkmenistan 1-3 Uzbekistan

Fri, 29 Mar, 2024

Round 2 - Group E: Turkmenistan 1-3 Uzbekistan

Ashgabat: Eldor Shomurodov and Otabek Shukurov combined to a devastating effect to help Uzbekistan achieve a 3-1 comeback win over neighbours Turkmenistan in Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at the Ashgabat Stadium on Thursday.

Uzbekistan’s next game sees them welcoming Islamic Republic of Iran to Tashkent on Tuesday, while Turkmenistan travel to Hong Kong for their second game of the group.

Round 2 - Group F: Iraq 5-1 Indonesia

Fri, 29 Mar, 2024

Round 2 - Group F: Iraq 5-1 Indonesia

Basra: Iraq got their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ campaign off to a flying start, beating Indonesia 5-1 in Group F at the Basra International Stadium on Thursday.

Iraq travel to Hanoi next to play Vietnam, while Indonesia are away in Manila against the Philippines.

Round 2 - Group I: Lebanon 0-0 Palestine

Fri, 29 Mar, 2024

Round 2 - Group I: Lebanon 0-0 Palestine

Sharjah: Lebanon and Palestine settled for a 0-0 draw in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

Chances were few and far between in the match played at the Khalid Bin Mohammed Stadium as both sides picked up their first point in Group I.

Round 2 - Group H: United Arab Emirates 4-0 Nepal

Fri, 29 Mar, 2024

Round 2 - Group H: United Arab Emirates 4-0 Nepal

Dubai: Ali Makhbout starred with a brace as United Arab Emirates cruised to a 4-0 win over Nepal in Group H of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

Khalifa Al Hammadi put UAE in front with Makhbout striking twice before Fabio Lima etched his name of the scoresheet just before the half-time break.

Uzbekistan advance, Indonesia's hopes dented

Fri, 17 Nov, 2023

Uzbekistan advance, Indonesia's hopes dented

Jakarta: Uzbekistan booked a spot in the FIFA U17 World Cup Indonesia 2023 Round of 16 after fighting back from two goals down to hold Spain 2-2 on Thursday.  

Indonesia, who had two draws going into their final Group A tie, were defeated 3-1 by Morocco with their knockout stage hopes now hanging by a thread.