Know your team: Iraq

Fri, 29 May, 2026

Know your team: Iraq

Kuala Lumpur: Iraq's veteran Australian coach Graham Arnold is hoping his team can pull off a shock on their return to the FIFA World Cup stage after a remarkable and gruelling journey to this year's tournament in North America.

The West Asian side sealed a return to the global stage with their last possible chance - defeating Bolivia in the Inter-Confederation Playoff.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176042

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/video/asianqualifiers-road-to-26-playoffs-|-iraq-2-1-uae

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176045

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176047

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176049

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176051

Know your team: Japan

Wed, 27 May, 2026

Know your team: Japan

Kuala Lumpur: Japan will head into the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a spring in their step and confidence high that they are set for a best ever outing at the global showpiece.

With the exception of the three hosts – Canada, Mexico and the USA – Japan were the first team to punch their ticket to the Finals, winning their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 group at a canter.

Know your team: IR Iran

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Know your team: IR Iran

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran will take it one step at a time at the FIFA World Cup 2026 as they bid to make history at the global showpiece.

Three-time AFC Asian Cup™ winners, Iran have been at the forefront of Asian football for decades and will be on a mission to translate that success onto the global stage.

Know your team: Australia

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Know your team: Australia

Kuala Lumpur: With a historic nine Asian sides among the cast of 48 teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026, the continent is set for a fiesta of football.

As the kick-off to the global showpiece rapidly approaches, the-AFC.com takes a deep look as the Asian hopefuls, with Australia kicking off the series.

Tony Popovic's side will be aiming to reach new heights after overcoming a difficult start to cruise through the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26.

Asian Moments: 1998

Thu, 28 May, 2026

Asian Moments: 1998

Kuala Lumpur: With the FIFA World Cup 2026 drawing ever closer, the-AFC.com continues its series of looking back at how the Asian teams have performed at the global showpiece over the years.

With the World Cup expanding into 32 teams for the first time, Asia benefited from 3.5 seats at France 1998. Just as they did in the previous edition, Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic were present, while Japan took the third spot and Islamic Republic of Iran ensured the AFC had a four-team contingent for the first-time ever, snatching the qualification ticket in the Intercontinental Playoff from Australia, then representing the OFC.

Asian Moments: 1994

Wed, 27 May, 2026

Asian Moments: 1994

Kuala Lumpur: As we move ever closer towards the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the football world converging on Canada, Mexico and the United States for the global showpiece, the-AFC.com continues its series where we look back at the displays of Asian teams in the tournament over the years.

Having reviewed the 1990 competition last time round, we turn our focus to the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States which was the last one with just two representatives from Asia and where the displays by both Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic only justified the inclusion of more Asian nations in the later editions.