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

Mon, 20 Nov, 2023

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

Kuwait City: Australia will be confident of a second win on the trot when they play Palestine in Group I of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

Graham Arnold's side opened their campaign with an impressive 7-0 win over Bangladesh, a result which gave them a two-point lead after the Lebanon and Palestine tie ended in a goalless draw. 

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

Sun, 19 Nov, 2023

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

Riffa: Bahrain and United Arab Emirates will face off in what is sure to be an enticing Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group H tie on Tuesday.

Both teams got their campaigns off to winning starts on Matchday One and victory in Riffa will mean an early advantage in the race to advance to the third round. 

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

Sun, 19 Nov, 2023

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

Amman: Saudi Arabia's target will be to further tighten their grip on Group G of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ when they travel to Amman to face Jordan on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia found themselves two points ahead after Matchday One, having defeated Pakistan 4-0 while Tajikistan and Jordan settled for a share of the points following a dramatic 1-1 draw. 

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

Sun, 19 Nov, 2023

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

Hanoi: Vietnam will host Iraq in a top-of-the-table Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group F clash on Tuesday.

Vietnam defeated Philippines 2-0 in their opener while Iraq impressed in a 5-1 win over Indonesia on Thursday.

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

Sun, 19 Nov, 2023

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

Tashkent: Uzbekistan will play Islamic Republic of Iran on Tuesday in a meeting between two sides looking to establish an early advantage in Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Both opened their campaigns with resounding wins on Thursday while Hong Kong, China and Turkmenistan will square off needing the points. 

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

Sun, 19 Nov, 2023

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

Bishkek: Oman and Malaysia will aim to maintain their winning momemtum in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Tuesday.

Oman cruised 3-0 past Chinese Taipei while Malaysia produced an amazing comeback to defeat Kyrgyz Republic 4-3 on Matchday One.

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

Sun, 19 Nov, 2023

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

Shenzhen: China PR will face an early test of their credentials when they host Korea Republic 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.

Singapore will meet Thailand, with both sides requiring victories after suffering defeat on Thursday.

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

Sun, 19 Nov, 2023

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

Jeddah: Japan will look to develop an early lead in Group B of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ when they play Syria in Jeddah on Tuesday.

Myanmar and DPR Korea, meanwhile, will meet in a match to kickstart their respective campaigns after suffering opening day defeats.

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

Sun, 19 Nov, 2023

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

Bhubaneswar: India will face a test of their credentials when they host Qatar 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.

Afghanistan face Kuwait, with both teams aiming to rebound after having suffered defeats on Matchday One.

Round 2 - MD1: Facts & Figures

Sun, 19 Nov, 2023

Round 2 - MD1: Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday One of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ lived up to expectations with sizzling action.

As the teams traverse the continent for Tuesday's second matchday, the-AFC.com takes a look at the facts and figures from Thursday's opening round of matches. 

Round 2 - MD1: 5 things we learned

Sat, 18 Nov, 2023

Round 2 - MD1: 5 things we learned

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ kicked off with a bang on Thursday.

There were ups and downs for the 36 teams in the fray so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at five key things from Matchday One.