Japan, a four-time Asian champion, has been drawn into a challenging group for the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team will face Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China, and Indonesia in the upcoming matches. This draw brings back memories of previous encounters with Saudi Arabia and Australia in the final phase of qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup. Despite topping their group in the last tournament, Japan knows they will have their work cut out for them in this tough group.
Chinese Challenge Ahead
China, on the other hand, will be facing a daunting challenge as they strive to secure a spot in their first World Cup since their debut in 2002. Coach Branko Ivankovic acknowledges the tough road ahead, recognizing that the group they are placed in is the most challenging compared to the other groups. Being aware of their position in the fifth pot, China understands that they cannot underestimate any opponent in their group.
Iran, aiming for their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance and seventh overall, will be looking to make their mark in the qualifiers. They will compete against Qatar, a team seeking qualification for the tournament for the first time. With the Qataris coming off a recent Asian Cup victory, Iran knows they will have to bring their A-game to secure their path to the World Cup.
South Korea’s Road Ahead
South Korea, considered favorites in their group, will face challenges from teams like Jordan, who defeated them in the Asian Cup semi-finals earlier this year. The group also includes a strong Iraq side aiming to qualify for their first World Cup since 1986 and an up-and-coming Uzbekistan team. South Korea will need to be at the top of their game to secure their spot in the finals in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
The Asian qualifiers will kick off on September 5 and run until June 10, with teams competing for a chance to secure a spot in the World Cup finals. The winners and runners-up in each group will qualify automatically, while the third and fourth-place finishers will advance to a fourth round to determine the final qualifying spots from the continent. The road to the World Cup will be filled with challenges and excitement as teams battle it out for a chance to make their mark on the global stage.
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