After an intriguing seven-month period, the second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to a close on Tuesday. With the World Cup expanding to 48 teams, Asia will now have at least eight representatives at the tournament in two years’ time. The increase in competing nations has also seen a change in the Asian qualifiers, meaning that — for the first time — 18 teams will do battle in the third and final round. Among the standout performers was Qatar, the dominant force in the continent right now after winning the past two editions of the AFC Asian Cup. Qatar picked up five wins and a draw from their six matches to top Group A.
Japan’s Impressive Record
Another noteworthy team from the second round of Asian qualifiers was Japan. With a perfect record of six wins and a impressive tally of 24 goals scored and none conceded in Group B, Japan were the best performing team in this round. They showcased a depth of talent throughout the squad and even experimented with different formations after securing their progress. Their coach tested out an adventurous 3-2-4-1 formation in a 5-0 win over Syria.
South Korea, although missing out on a perfect record in Group C, still looked formidable, especially with key victories over China and Singapore. Son Heung-Min led the way with seven goals, and the team’s performance under interim coach Kim Do-Hoon was noteworthy. It remains to be seen if a permanent coach will be named following the post-Asian Cup dismissal of Jürgen Klinsmann.
Uzbekistan, a team that has never qualified for the World Cup despite being consistent in Asian football, showed promise in the second round of qualifiers. The team had creditable draws with Iran, indicating their strength and potential to join the expanded contingent of representatives from the continent in 2026.
Palestine’s Remarkable Achievement
Amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Palestine defied the odds and reached the final round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite being unable to host any home games, Palestine finished above Lebanon to secure their spot in the next stage of the qualifiers. This achievement is even more remarkable considering the challenges they faced.
The second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup showcased the diversity and talent in Asian football. Teams like Qatar, Japan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, and Palestine demonstrated their strength and determination to progress in the tournament. The upcoming third and final round promises to be even more competitive as the remaining 18 teams battle for a chance to represent Asia at the World Cup. It will be interesting to see how these teams continue to perform and which ones will ultimately secure their spot in the prestigious tournament.
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