Group H: Bahrain halt UAE's perfect run

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group H: Bahrain halt UAE's perfect run

Dubai: The United Arab Emirates ended their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group H campaign unbeaten after playing out a 1-1 draw with Bahrain at Zabeel Stadium on Tuesday.

Both teams had already booked their place in the next round prior to the game, with the UAE confirmed to top the group with five wins from their previous five, and Bahrain finishing second.

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Round 2 - MD6: Results & Reports

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Round 2 - MD6: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Tuesday with five teams booking their spots.

Kuwait (Group A), DPR Korea (Group B), China PR (Group C), Kyrgyz Republic (Group D) and Indonesia (Group F) joined Korea Republic, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Palestine, Qatar, Japan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Uzbekistan, Iraq, United Arab Emirates and Australia in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals.

Stay updated on all the reaction with the-AFC.com.

Group A: Qatar end India’s dream

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group A: Qatar end India’s dream

Doha: Qatar came from behind to beat India 2-1 in their Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 Group A match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group A tie on Tuesday.

The defeat ended India’s hopes of advancing to the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, with the loss coming after Lallianzuala Chhangte had given them the lead in the 37th minute.

Group I: Lebanon cap campaign with win

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group I: Lebanon cap campaign with win

Doha: Lebanon wrapped up their matches in Group I of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ in style, beating Bangladesh 4-0 at Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.

The result means the Cedars finish third with six points, just two behind Palestine who accompanied Australia to the third round of World Cup qualifiers, while Bangladesh could not add to their solitary point, collected from the reverse fixture in Dhaka back in November.

Group D: Oman rally to finish top

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group D: Oman rally to finish top

Muscat: Kyrgyz Republic confirmed their place at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and a berth in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 as a 1-1 draw in Muscat against table-toppers Oman on Tuesday ensured a second-place finish in Group D.

The result means Kyrgyz Republic finish a point ahead of Malaysia, who defeated Chinese Taipei earlier on Tuesday to retain a mathematical chance of climbing above Stefan Tarkovic’s side and into the runners-up slot.

Eldiyar Zarypbekov gave the visitors the lead in the 19th minute but Abdul Aziz Khalfan levelled 12 minutes into the second half to ensure the points were shared with Oman winning the group.

Group E: IR Iran, Uzbekistan share spoils

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group E: IR Iran, Uzbekistan share spoils

Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran topped Group E after ending their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ campaign with a goalless draw against Uzbekistan on Tuesday.

The match at Azadi Stadium saw a closely fought contest as they repeated their stalemate from the reverse fixture in Tashkent which finished 2-2, with Iran finishing as group winners thanks to a superior goal difference.

Group A: Late strike confirms Kuwait's spot

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group A: Late strike confirms Kuwait's spot

Kuwait City: Eid Al Rashedi struck an 81st minute winner as Kuwait edged Afghanistan 1-0 in Group A of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday. 

The result meant Kuwait finished on seven points to advance to the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and book their ticket to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, with India missing out after a 2-1 defeat to Qatar.  

Group E: Turkmenistan, Hong Kong, China bid farewell with stalemate

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group E: Turkmenistan, Hong Kong, China bid farewell with stalemate

Ashgabat: Turkmenistan finished in third place in Group E after holding Hong Kong, China to a goalless draw at the Ashgabat Stadium to bring their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ campaign to a conclusion on Tuesday.

The Central Asians, who finished above their visitors by virtue of a superior goal difference, will now move into the third round of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers alongside Hong Kong, China, where 24 teams will battle for the six spots left in the continental competition to be hosted by Saudi Arabia in 2027.

The two sides went into their final Group E outing having collected only a single point in five matches – which came in a 2-2 draw when they met on Matchday Two.

Group G: Tajikistan sign off on high note

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group G: Tajikistan sign off on high note

Dushanbe: Tajikistan ended their campaign on a high note after defeating Pakistan 3-0 in Group G of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday. 

Tajikistan secured their second win to finish with eight points with Pakistan concluding their campaign with six defeats.

Group B: DPR Korea power past Myanmar to advance

Tue, 11 Jun, 2024

Group B: DPR Korea power past Myanmar to advance

Vientiane: A hat-trick from Ri Jo Guk guided a dominant DPR Korea to a 4-1 victory over Myanmar in their Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 Group B match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ at the Lao National Stadium, Vientiane on Tuesday.

The victory ensured DPR Korea’s entry to the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and confirmed to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals as they finished second with nine points behind group winners Japan.

Group D: Malaysia fight back to beat Chinese Taipei

Tue, 11 Jun, 2024

Group D: Malaysia fight back to beat Chinese Taipei

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia came from behind to defeat Chinese Taipei 3-1 in their final Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group D tie on Tuesday.

Despite the win, Malaysia are almost certain to miss out on the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers as only a seven-goal defeat for Kyrgyz Republic against Oman later on Tuesday will enable the Southeast Asian side to progress.