Group H: Bahrain 3-0 Nepal

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Group H: Bahrain 3-0 Nepal

Riffa: Bahrain took a huge step towards advancing to the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2025 qualifiers and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Finals after defeating Nepal 3-0 at the Bahrain National Stadium on Tuesday.

The results took Bahrain to nine points in Group H, three adrift of United Arab Emirates but, crucially, six ahead of Yemen with two matchdays remaining.

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Round 2 - MD4: Results & Reports

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Round 2 - MD4: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Four of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Tuesday with six teams confirming early progression.

Australia, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates and Qatar booked their places in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and also confirmed their tickets to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.
 
The nine group winners and the respective runners-up 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 Tuesday's matches with the-AFC.com.

Group I: Lebanon 0-5 Australia

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Group I: Lebanon 0-5 Australia

Canberra: Australia secured their place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and booked their berth at AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ following their emphatic 5-0 win over Lebanon in the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 Group I tie on Tuesday.

Having defeated their visitors by a 2-0 scoreline in the first meeting in Parramatta last Thursday, the home side got off to a fast start at Gio Stadium in Canberra through Kusini Yengi in the second minute of the match, before an own-goal early in the second half then doubled the advantage.
 
A man-of-the-match performance by winger Craig Goodwin was then capped by a stunning strike to make it 3-0 to the Socceroos, before substitute John Iredale and Goodwin once more found the net to wrap up the points for Graham Arnold’s men.

Group I: Bangladesh 0-1 Palestine

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Group I: Bangladesh 0-1 Palestine

Dhaka: Michael Termanini’s stoppage time strike earned Palestine a 1-0 win over Bangladesh in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ tie on Tuesday.

With Australia already sealing one of the two berths from Group I courtesy of their 5-0 win over Lebanon, the result at Bashundhara Kings Arena sees Palestine open up a five-point gap on Lebanon, who they will meet next on June 6.

Group H: Yemen 0-3 United Arab Emirates

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Group H: Yemen 0-3 United Arab Emirates

Al Khobar: Paulo Bento’s United Arab Emirates cruised into the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and in the process sealed a place at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ after defeating Yemen 3-0 in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 Group H clash on Tuesday.

With a perfect record of 12 points, UAE are assured of a top two finish in the group while Yemen -  with only three points - sit third in the standings behind Bahrain and will need wins in their remaining two matches to keep their progression hopes alive.

Group G: Tajikistan 1-1 Saudi Arabia

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Group G: Tajikistan 1-1 Saudi Arabia

Dushanbe: Rustam Soirov earned Tajikistan a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in Dushanbe on Tuesday to keep alive the Central Asian nation’s prospects of advancing to the next phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup preliminaries and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Finals.

Soirov pounced 10 minutes from time at a packed Pamir Stadium to cancel out Firas Al Brikan’s 46th minute opener and end Saudi Arabia’s perfect start to their Group G campaign.
 
However, Roberto Mancini’s side still lead the standings with 10 points from their first four matches while Tajikistan move onto five points with both nations due to face Jordan and Pakistan in June.

Group E: Turkmenistan 0-1 IR Iran

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Group E: Turkmenistan 0-1 IR Iran

Ashgabat: Islamic Republic of Iran advanced to the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and booked their place at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ after defeating Turkmenistan 1-0 in Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 on Tuesday.

Coach Amir Ghalenoei’s men had strolled to a 5-0 victory when the two teams met at Azadi Stadium on Thursday and following Uzbekistan's win over Hong Kong, China earlier in the day, they needed just a win to confirm qualification.

Group E: Uzbekistan 3-0 Hong Kong, China

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Group E: Uzbekistan 3-0 Hong Kong, China

Tashkent: Uzbekistan continued their fine form in the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, defeating Hong Kong, China 3-0 on Tuesday to seal early progression.

Eldor Shomurodov’s 40th international goal gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute at Bunyodkor Stadium before second-half goals from substitutes Khojimat Erkinov and Oston Urunov sealed the Uzbeks' third win in four Group E games.
 
Uzbekistan's spot in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals was confirmed following Islamic Republic of Iran's 1-0 win over Turkmenistan in the group's other tie, which also ensured they advanced. 

Group D: Malaysia 0-2 Oman

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Group D: Malaysia 0-2 Oman

Kuala Lumpur: Oman defeated Malaysia 2-0 in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group D tie on Tuesday. 

The richly deserved win leaves Oman on nine points, level with Kyrgyz Republic, who defeated Chinese Taipei 5-1.