2026 AFC Qualifiers
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- blahblah
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2026 North America - AFC Qualifiers
There will be 48 teams in the WC in Canada/USA/Mexico, with 8.33 places going to the AFC.
Oct 2023 - 1st Round the top 25 teams sit out, where the rest (22) battle it out in a home & away against a single drawn opponent. Unclear as to when the draw will occur.
Nov 23 to Jun 24 - 2nd Round, nine groups of four, top two go through
Sep 24 to Jun 25 - 3rd Round, three groups of six, top two qualify for the WC, 3rd & 4th from each go to next round
Sep 25 4th Round, two groups of three at neutral venue, top of each group progress to WC, second go to 5th Round.
Oct 25 5th Round, two teams, winner goes through to Intercontinental Play-off
Oct 2023 - 1st Round the top 25 teams sit out, where the rest (22) battle it out in a home & away against a single drawn opponent. Unclear as to when the draw will occur.
Nov 23 to Jun 24 - 2nd Round, nine groups of four, top two go through
Sep 24 to Jun 25 - 3rd Round, three groups of six, top two qualify for the WC, 3rd & 4th from each go to next round
Sep 25 4th Round, two groups of three at neutral venue, top of each group progress to WC, second go to 5th Round.
Oct 25 5th Round, two teams, winner goes through to Intercontinental Play-off
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Re: 2026 North America - AFC Qualifiers
I'm slowly build a case (and a small fortune) for my family to go. Brazil would have been the best one to go to, but I'm sure the yanks and co will put on a good show! I think dropping my wife and daughters off at Disneyland on my way down to catch a game in Mexico will be a win for all!
Time to Djbate!
- blahblah
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Re: 2026 North America - AFC Qualifiers
I'm slowly build a case (and a small fortune) for my family to go. Brazil would have been the best one to go to, but I'm sure the yanks and co will put on a good show! I think dropping my wife and daughters off at Disneyland on my way down to catch a game in Mexico will be a win for all!
Will probably see you there. Thinking of Mexico as well.
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2026 AFC Qualifiers
First round is completed and the teams through on aggregate are:
Afghanistan 2–0 Mongolia
Maldives 2–3 Bangladesh
Singapore 3–1 Guam
Yemen 4–1 Sri Lanka
Myanmar 5–1 Macau
Cambodia 0–1 Pakistan
Chinese Taipei 7–0 Timor-Leste
Indonesia 12–0 Brunei
Hong Kong 4–2 Bhutan
Nepal 2–1 Laos
Second Round kicks off November 16.
Australia's group includes Lebanon, Palestine and Bangladesh. We'll be facing Bangladesh at AAMI on the 16th and then Palestine in Algiers on the 21st.
Afghanistan 2–0 Mongolia
Maldives 2–3 Bangladesh
Singapore 3–1 Guam
Yemen 4–1 Sri Lanka
Myanmar 5–1 Macau
Cambodia 0–1 Pakistan
Chinese Taipei 7–0 Timor-Leste
Indonesia 12–0 Brunei
Hong Kong 4–2 Bhutan
Nepal 2–1 Laos
Second Round kicks off November 16.
Australia's group includes Lebanon, Palestine and Bangladesh. We'll be facing Bangladesh at AAMI on the 16th and then Palestine in Algiers on the 21st.
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Re: 2026 AFC Qualifiers
The first two match-days have come and gone with all of the usual suspects unscathed.
As we are looking at 8, rather than 4, upsets futher down the line included:
Tajikistan drawing with Jordan, denied a home win in stoppage time
Kyrgysztan's 1-0 home win over Oman, after losing in Malaysia 4-3. The boys from Bishkek will be fun to watch.
The Uzbeks looked good in their 2-2 draw at home to Iran. Out of all of the AFC teams who have never been to the World Cup, the White Wolves are the ones I really hope to see make the final 8.
As we are looking at 8, rather than 4, upsets futher down the line included:
Tajikistan drawing with Jordan, denied a home win in stoppage time
Kyrgysztan's 1-0 home win over Oman, after losing in Malaysia 4-3. The boys from Bishkek will be fun to watch.
The Uzbeks looked good in their 2-2 draw at home to Iran. Out of all of the AFC teams who have never been to the World Cup, the White Wolves are the ones I really hope to see make the final 8.
Re: 2026 AFC Qualifiers
Very poor second showing but not the first time we've seen this in Asia away from home.
First (for us) round of qualifiers is almost a waste of time. Should go through Undefeated.
First (for us) round of qualifiers is almost a waste of time. Should go through Undefeated.
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Re: 2026 AFC Qualifiers
Very average indeed; devoid of creativity. I was hoping Yengi would get a run for Duke around the 60' to bring something different to our game.Very poor second showing but not the first time we've seen this in Asia away from home.
First (for us) round of qualifiers is almost a waste of time. Should go through Undefeated.
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Re: 2026 AFC Qualifiers
Some interesting games on tonight. Japan v North Korea is a game that is likely to be fiery (from the North Korean side at least, my guess is the Japanese will be just hoping not to be too badly injured). Another is Oman v Malaysia, a phrase I never expected to utter (Malaysia have really picked up their game).
- mcjules
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Re: 2026 AFC Qualifiers
Clearly the influence of Adelaide United alumni Pau MartiSome interesting games on tonight. Japan v North Korea is a game that is likely to be fiery (from the North Korean side at least, my guess is the Japanese will be just hoping not to be too badly injured). Another is Oman v Malaysia, a phrase I never expected to utter (Malaysia have really picked up their game).

- blahblah
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Re: 2026 AFC Qualifiers
Scott Odonnel, ex NSL Paramatta centre back, is their technical director. Beaten 2-0 away, however have the reverse fixture in KL on the 26th.Clearly the influence of Adelaide United alumni Pau MartiSome interesting games on tonight. Japan v North Korea is a game that is likely to be fiery (from the North Korean side at least, my guess is the Japanese will be just hoping not to be too badly injured). Another is Oman v Malaysia, a phrase I never expected to utter (Malaysia have really picked up their game).![]()
Only surprises for the night were in Group C, where Thailand drew with South Korea in Seoul and Singapore drew with China in Singapore; there would have been some Anchor beer sunk in the Lion City last night.
The other odd thing was only 3,000 people in Abhu Dabi turning out to watch UAE play Yemen. I'm unsure if UAE's deep involvement in the Yemen civil war meant entry restrictions, but it is certainly possible. EDIT: Just checked their previous game against Nepal, I think it is merely a matter of no-one giving a toss.
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Re: 2026 AFC Qualifiers
North Korea cancelled the return leg against Japan in Pyongyang. The AFC suggested a replay, however FIFA declared the match cancelled and unable to be replayed.
A decision will be made regarding the match and, I assume, North Korea's continued participation.
https://www.nknews.org/2024/03/north-ko ... fore-game/
A decision will be made regarding the match and, I assume, North Korea's continued participation.
https://www.nknews.org/2024/03/north-ko ... fore-game/
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Re: 2026 AFC Qualifiers
Most games in the 4th round went as expected, bar Afghanistan who managed a 1-2 win away to India, and Tajikistan, who've continued their good form with a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia.
Teams already qualified for the Third Round include:
Qatar, Iran, Uzbekistan, Iraq, UAE, Australia.
Japan may have qualified, depending on the FIFA ruling regarding the cancelled match in Pyongyang.
Teams already qualified for the Third Round include:
Qatar, Iran, Uzbekistan, Iraq, UAE, Australia.
Japan may have qualified, depending on the FIFA ruling regarding the cancelled match in Pyongyang.
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Re: 2026 AFC Qualifiers
Japan awarded a 0-3 win and hence qualified for the third round.
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Re: 2026 AFC Qualifiers
Third Round is drawn and we have.....
Group A
Iran, Qatar, Uzbekistan, UAE, Kyrgyzstan, North Korea
Interesting group as Kyrgyzstan have been playing some surprisingly nice football and you never know what version of North Korea is going to turn up. Probably the most even group of the lot.
Group B
South Korea, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, Kuwait
South Korea should walk through this group, though second place is less certain with Jordan having upset many an apple-cart over the years
Group C
Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China, Indonesia
The toughest top 2 battle of the draw. I have a feeling Indonesia may play the role of King-maker in this group.
Group A
Iran, Qatar, Uzbekistan, UAE, Kyrgyzstan, North Korea
Interesting group as Kyrgyzstan have been playing some surprisingly nice football and you never know what version of North Korea is going to turn up. Probably the most even group of the lot.
Group B
South Korea, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, Kuwait
South Korea should walk through this group, though second place is less certain with Jordan having upset many an apple-cart over the years
Group C
Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China, Indonesia
The toughest top 2 battle of the draw. I have a feeling Indonesia may play the role of King-maker in this group.
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Re: 2026 AFC Qualifiers
If we can make it to the end of the year unbeaten, I feel we'll make it thru.
It SHOULD be us, Japan and the Saudis that progress, just the order will be the question.
It SHOULD be us, Japan and the Saudis that progress, just the order will be the question.
Time to Djbate!
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