As the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup unfold, Japan stands on the brink of achieving its eighth consecutive participation in the world’s most prestigious football tournament. With four matches remaining in the third round of qualifiers, the dominance of the Samurai Blue is evident, as they hold a commanding nine-point lead over
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers
Qatar entered the international football arena with heightened aspirations following their World Cup debut as hosts in 2022. With the upcoming 2026 World Cup set to expand to 48 teams, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) offering eight guaranteed spots, hopes were undeniably high for Qatar to return on merit. This anticipation was amplified by
In the realms of Asian football, few names resonate as profoundly as Son Heung-Min. After a brief hiatus from recognition, the esteemed Tottenham Hotspur forward and captain of the South Korean national team finds himself back in contention for the AFC’s male International Player of the Year award for 2023. Renowned for his prowess on
Japan showcased an impressive attacking display in the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Coach Hajime Moriyasu introduced a new system, the 3-4-2-1 formation, which allowed the team to utilize their attacking talent effectively. The deployment of three central defenders and two central midfielders was conventional, but the inclusion
Qatar, as the reigning AFC Asian Cup champions, have continued their domination in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With a strong performance in the second round, where they picked up five wins and a draw, Qatar secured their spot in the third round. Star striker Almoez Ali impressed with seven goals,
Hong Myung-Bo is undoubtedly a legend of South Korean football, known for his impressive career as a player. He led South Korea to a remarkable fourth-place finish at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and won the Bronze Ball in the process. With 136 caps for the Taegeuk Warriors over a 12-year span, he has left
After a five-month wait for a new coach, the Korea Football Association (KFA) finally announced the return of Hong Myung-Bo for a second spell in charge of the national team. This news comes after former coach Jürgen Klinsmann was sacked in February, leaving South Korea in search of a new leader to guide them through
The recent signing of Daichi Kamada by Crystal Palace marks a significant milestone for Japanese football. With Kamada joining the Premier League, one of the most competitive leagues in the world, it showcases the talent that Japan is consistently producing. As a traditional powerhouse in Asian football, Japan now has another player representing them on
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
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