Group F: Indonesia 0-2 Iraq

Mon, 10 Jun, 2024

Group F: Indonesia 0-2 Iraq

Jakarta: Iraq secured top spot in Group F following their 2-0 win over 10-man Indonesia in the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ tie on Thursday.

Having already secured their place as one of the top two sides from Group F on Matchday Four, Iraq were made to work hard in a first half where Indonesia controlled the majority of possession albeit without creating clear-cut chances.

However, the arrival of Ali Jasim from the bench at half-time proved crucial as the young Iraq star forced the penalty from which Aymen Hussein opened the scoring, before netting the crucial second himself in the dying minutes of the tie to seal top spot in the group with a game to spare.

Indonesia, who also saw Jordi Amat dismissed in the second half, will need to await the conclusion of the later tie between Vietnam and Philippines to know whether their own progression to the next round of preliminaries for the FIFA World Cup 2026 must wait until Matchday Six.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3031663.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3031665.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3031667.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3031669.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3031891.html

5 things to look out for

Thu, 06 Jun, 2024

5 things to look out for

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday 5 of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ will be played on Thursday.

Twelve spots remain available for the next phase of FIFA World Cup qualifying, with six having been filled in March with the teams also confirming their tickets to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals.

Ahead of the Matchday Five action, the-AFC.com highlights five things to look out for in what promises to be a day of enthralling action.

Preview - Group A: Afghanistan v Qatar; India v Kuwait

Tue, 04 Jun, 2024

Preview - Group A: Afghanistan v Qatar; India v Kuwait

Kuala Lumpur: Group A of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ is set for an exciting finish with India, Afghanistan and Kuwait all in the running for a spot in the next stage.

Qatar are assured of finishing top, which means confirmed berths in the third round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals.

India and Afghanistan are on four points, with Kuwait one adrift heading into Thursday's round of matches.

Preview - Group B: DPR Korea v Syria; Myanmar v Japan

Tue, 04 Jun, 2024

Preview - Group B: DPR Korea v Syria; Myanmar v Japan

Kuala Lumpur: DPR Korea face Syria in what is set to be a mouth-watering clash in Group B of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Syria will head into Thursday's clash at the neutral venue of the Lao National Stadium only needing a draw to confirm a top-two finish which will book their spot in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals.

DPR Korea need a win to keep their hopes of joining already-qualified Japan in the next stage.

Preview - Group C: China PR v Thailand; Singapore v Korea Republic

Tue, 04 Jun, 2024

Preview - Group C: China PR v Thailand; Singapore v Korea Republic

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic and China PR will aim to lock in the top two spots in Group C of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

Korea Republic only need a draw against Singapore to book their spot in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals while a win for China PR against Thailand will confirm their progression, which will also end the hopes of their Southeast Asian opponents.

Preview - Group D: Chinese Taipei v Oman; Kyrgyz Republic v Malaysia

Wed, 05 Jun, 2024

Preview - Group D: Chinese Taipei v Oman; Kyrgyz Republic v Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur: Oman and Kyrgyz Republic will be aiming to confirm their positions as the top two in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ when they take to the field against Chinese Taipei and Malaysia respectively on Thursday.

Both are on nine points and victories on Matchday Five will take them to the next stage of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying as well as booking their place in Saudi Arabia 2027.

Preview - Group E: Uzbekistan v Turkmenistan; Hong Kong, China v IR Iran

Thu, 30 May, 2024

Preview - Group E: Uzbekistan v Turkmenistan; Hong Kong, China v IR Iran

Tashkent: Uzbekistan and Islamic Republic of Iran will put their unbeaten runs in the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ to the test when they face Turkmenistan and Hong Kong, China respectively on Thursday.

Both sides are already assured of a top two finish in Group E, having picked up 10 points from three wins and a draw, and will be seeking to keep their run going.

Preview - Group F: Vietnam v Philippines; Indonesia v Iraq

Wed, 05 Jun, 2024

Preview - Group F: Vietnam v Philippines; Indonesia v Iraq

Hanoi: Vietnam will look to revive their fortunes with newly appointed head coach Kim Sang-sik when they host Philippines in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group F match on Thursday. 

Seeking a win in his first competitive match in charge, Kim called up a familiar squad with the core similar to his predecessor Philippe Troussier but expectations are it will be a different set-up and style on the pitch.

Preview - Group G: Pakistan v Saudi Arabia; Jordan v Tajikistan

Wed, 05 Jun, 2024

Preview - Group G: Pakistan v Saudi Arabia; Jordan v Tajikistan

Islamabad: Saudi Arabia are set to fire on all cylinders when they meet Pakistan in Group G of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

The Green Falcons lead the standings with 10 points, three ahead of Jordan, and victory against Pakistan will confirm their spot in the next round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Preview - Group H: Nepal v United Arab Emirates; Bahrain v Yemen

Wed, 05 Jun, 2024

Preview - Group H: Nepal v United Arab Emirates; Bahrain v Yemen

Dammam: United Arab Emirates will be aiming to extend their winning run when they meet bottom placed 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. 

Bahrain, meanwhile, will look to join UAE in the next phase of qualifying when they meet Yemen.