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

Wed, 20 Mar, 2024

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

Kuala Lumpur: Qatar will be the team to beat when Group A of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ resumes on Thursday.

Fresh from successfully defending their AFC Asian Cup title on home soil last month, Marquez Lopez's side will start as favourites against Kuwait, with Afghanistan to play India in the other Group A tie.

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

Wed, 20 Mar, 2024

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

Tokyo: Japan will be aiming to stay ahead of their challengers by defeating DPR Korea in Group B of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

Hajime Moriyasu's side found themselves three points ahead of DPR Korea and Syria after the first two rounds of matches.
 
They host DPR Korea in the first of their double header against their East Asian rivals knowing that a win will leave them well placed to advance to the third round, with Japan seeking an eighth consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup Finals.

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

Wed, 20 Mar, 2024

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

Kuala Lumpur: All eyes will be on Korea Republic when they resume their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group C campaign on Thursday.

With German Jurgen Klinsmann having departed after their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ campaign, interim head coach Hwang Sun-hong will have the task of steering a Korea Republic side looking to qualify for an 11th consecutive FIFA World Cup.

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

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

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

Kuala Lumpur: Group D leaders Malaysia will be looking to extend their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ winning run when they meet Oman on Thursday.

Chinese Taipei host Kyrgyz Republic in the group’s other tie with both sides seeking wins to boost their chances.

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

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

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

Kuala Lumpur: Uzbekistan will welcome back star forward Eldor Shomurodov for the first of two matches against Hong Kong, China in Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The AS Roma player, currently on loan at Cagliari, missed the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ through injury but is available again to give Srecko Katanec more attacking options.

Having collected four points from their opening two matches, head coach Katanec is determined for Uzbekistan to collect maximum points from their double header with Hong Kong, China.  

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

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

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

Kuala Lumpur: It will be a repeat of their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ clash when Indonesia host Vietnam in Group F of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

The other match in the group will see Iraq aiming to continue their perfect start with a win against Philippines.

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

Wed, 20 Mar, 2024

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

Islamabad: Jordan will be aiming to get their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group G campaign back on track when they play Pakistan in a double header starting on Thursday. 

A 1-1 draw with Tajikistan followed by a 2-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia left Hussein Ammouta’s side in third place after the opening two matches and failure to collect maximum points against Pakistan will have an adverse effect on the West Asian side's hopes of advancing to the next round.

Preview - Group H: Nepal v Bahrain; UAE v Yemen

Sun, 17 Mar, 2024

Preview - Group H: Nepal v Bahrain; UAE v Yemen

Abu Dhabi: United Arab Emirates will be seeking to maintain their perfect start when they host Yemen 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.

Wins against Nepal (4-0) and Bahrain (2-0) gave UAE a three-point lead at the top and Paulo Bento’s side will be looking to resume their campaign with a bang following their Round of 16 exit in the recent AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™. 

Preview - Group I: Australia v Lebanon; Palestine v Bangladesh

Wed, 20 Mar, 2024

Preview - Group I: Australia v Lebanon; Palestine v Bangladesh

Sydney: Australia will expect to continue their fine form in the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ when they go toe to toe against Lebanon in Group I on Thursday.

Australia scored seven unanswered goals past Bangladesh on Matchday One before securing a 1-0 away win against Palestine with head coach Graham Arnold naming a well balanced squad for the double header against Lebanon. 

New head coaches take charge

Tue, 19 Mar, 2024

New head coaches take charge

Kuala Lumpur: There will be several new head coaches in the dugouts when the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ resumes on Thursday.

As many as 10 teams were led by different coaches when the first two matchdays were played last November.

Joint Preliminary Qualification - How the groups stand

Mon, 18 Mar, 2024

Joint Preliminary Qualification - How the groups stand

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ returns on Thursday after a four-month break with everything to play for.

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. 
 
The-AFC.com brings you up to speed with how the groups stand ahead of Thursday's Matchday Three.