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

Mon, 25 Mar, 2024

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

Ashgabat: Islamic Republic of Iran will aim to confirm their place in the next stage when they face Turkmenistan in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group E match in Ashgabat on Tuesday.

Iran will go into the tie with confidence, having defeated Turkmenistan 5-0 on Thursday, but forward Mehdi Taremi has warned against complacency.

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

Mon, 25 Mar, 2024

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

Kuwait City: Kuwait stand in Qatar's way in their bid to confirm early progression when the two sides meet 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.

India, meanwhile, will hope for a better outcome when they host Afghanistan following Thursday's draw. 

Preview - Group B: Syria v Myanmar

Sun, 24 Mar, 2024

Preview - Group B: Syria v Myanmar

Dammam: Syria will look to capitalise on DPR Korea and Japan not being in action when they face Myanmar in Group B of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

Both teams played to a 1-1 draw on Thursday, with Syria departing Yangon with the feeling of having let an opportunity slip away. 

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

Sun, 24 Mar, 2024

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

Tianjin: Branko Ivankovic will expect a response from his China PR side when they host Singapore in Group C of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

So will Korea Republic's interim head coach Hwang Sun-hong when his East Asian side face Thailand in Bangkok.

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

Sun, 24 Mar, 2024

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

Kuala Lumpur: It’s all to play for in Group D with Oman, Kyrgyz Republic and Malaysia on six points and each of them will be looking to gain an advantage on Matchday Four of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

Kyrgyz Republic will be aiming to complete the double over Chinese Taipei while Malaysia will rely on home ground advantage to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Oman.

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

Mon, 25 Mar, 2024

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

Kuala Lumpur: Nguyen Filip has called for Vietnam to take the initiative against Indonesia in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ tie to boost their hopes of progressing from Group F.

In the other match, the Philippines will be aiming to spoil Iraq’s party when they welcome the West Asian side to Manila.

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

Mon, 25 Mar, 2024

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

Dushanbe: Tajikistan will be looking to cause an upset when they host Saudi Arabia 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.

The Central Asian side are second in the standings with four points, ahead of Jordan on goal difference following their 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia on Matchday Three.

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

Mon, 25 Mar, 2024

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

Khobar: The United Arab Emirates will be aiming to stay perfect and seal progression when they take on 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 Tuesday.

UAE lead the standings by three points, having secured three consecutive victories with head coach Paulo Bento urging his team to get the job done following their 2-1 win over Yemen on Matchday Three.

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

Mon, 25 Mar, 2024

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

Canberra: Lebanon face another tough test when they take on Australia in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group I tie on Tuesday.

The Cedars sit third in the standings, two points adrift of second-placed Palestine, a 2-0 defeat to Australia last Thursday having followed back-to-back draws.

Matchday 4: How the Groups stand

Sun, 24 Mar, 2024

Matchday 4: How the Groups stand

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Four of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ promises to be an exciting affair with 17 matches scheduled.

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 takes a look at how the groups stand ahead of Tuesday's matches.