The FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Asia has evolved from being perceived as outsiders on the global stage.
Today, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) includes some of the world’s most fervent footballing nations.
From South Korea’s 2002 semifinals run to Japan’s stunning win over Germany in 2022, Asian nations have shown growing global competitiveness.
As the qualifying campaign enters October 2025, the landscape of Asian football is abuzz.
With critical fixtures looming, AFC’s qualifiers stand out as one of the most engaging narratives on the road to the 2026 World Cup.
Revisit the region’s key milestones, heated battles, and what lies ahead while checking on World Cup tickets, schedules, and the latest qualified teams.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Asia: How it all began
Asia’s World Cup qualifying journey began modestly, with South Korea becoming the first Asian team to qualify in 1954.
For decades, Asian representation was sparse, with occasional breakthroughs.
Initially, the earliest success came in 1966, when North Korea reached the quarterfinals, stunning Italy.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s golden generation reached four consecutive World Cup finals between 1994 and 2006.
Over the decades, the AFC has grown from a one-spot confederation to getting eight direct slots in 2026.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – Asia: October 2025 fixtures
| Date | Fixture (Group) | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 8, 2025 | Oman vs Qatar (A) | Jassim bin Haad Stadium, Doha | 18:00 (UTC+3) |
| October 11, 2025 | United Arab Emirates vs Oman (A) | Jassim bin Haad Stadium, Doha | 20:15 (UTC+3) |
| October 14, 2025 | Qatar vs United Arab Emirates (A) | Jassim bin Haad Stadium, Doha | 20:15 (UTC+3) |
| October 8, 2025 | Indonesia vs Saudi Arabia(B) | King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah | 20:15 (UTC+3) |
| October 11, 2025 | Iraq vs Indonesia (B) | King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah | 22:30 (UTC+3) |
| October 14, 2025 | Saudi Arabia vs Iraq (B) | King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah | 22:30 (UTC+3) |
Asia 2026 World Cup fixtures: Memorable qualifying campaigns the past few years
The Asia 2026 World Cup fixtures have produced unforgettable drama through their qualifying campaigns in recent years.
Few moments illustrate this better than Iran’s 1997 playoff against Australia in Melbourne, where Team Melli rallied to force a 2-2 draw.
That enabled Iran to qualify for the 1998 World Cup in France, sending shockwaves across the football world.
Since 1986, South Korea has not missed a single World Cup, even reaching the semifinals in 2002 for Asia’s deepest run.
Ultimately, the AFC qualifiers continue to deliver the kind of football that fuels the region’s passion for the game.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia Qualifiers: Who has officially qualified so far?
| Team | Moniker | Method of Qualification | Date of Qualification | Total times Qualified | Last Time Qualified | Current Consecutive Appearances |
| Japan | Samurai Blue | AFC third round Group C winners | March 20, 2025 | 8 | 2022 | 8 |
| Iran | Team Melli | AFC third round Group A winners | March 25, 2025 | 7 | 2022 | 4 |
| South Korea | Taeguk Warriors | AFC third round Group B winners | June 5, 2025 | 12 | 2022 | 11 |
| Jordan | Al Nashama | AFC third round Group B runners-up | June 5, 2025 | 1 | __ | 1 |
| Uzbekistan | White Wolves | AFC third round Group A runners-up | June 5, 2025 | 1 | __ | 1 |
| Australia | Socceroos | AFC third round Group C runners-up | June 10, 2025 | 7 | 2022 | 6 |
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Asia: Who can still make it?
With six AFC teams already qualified, the October 2025 fixtures will decide who else joins them.
First, Saudi Arabia currently lead Group A’s chase for the final spot but they face a crucial matchup against Iran.
Second, Iraq remains in contention in Group B, needing a positive result against South Korea to overtake its rivals.
Third, Qatar, the host of the 2022 tournament, is locked in a fierce contest with Australia and Oman in Group C.
Then, Indonesia, Oman and Syria are chasing the playoff lifeline, hoping for favorable outcomes.
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Asia 2026 World Cup fixtures: Its impact to AFC’s expanded representation in 2026
The expanded allotment of 8+1 slots marks a watershed moment for Asia.
For the first time, nearly one-fifth of the World Cup field could be Asian teams.
This gives underdog nations like Oman, Syria, or Iraq a realistic chance to appear on football’s biggest stage.
For up-and-coming football nations in Asia, qualifying for the World Cup delivers not only national pride but also long-term development opportunities.
As a result, this 2026 edition may be remembered as the tournament that marked the AFC’s entry into a new era.
FIFA World Cup Asia Qualifiers standings
Group A
| Position | Team | Matches Played | WIns | Draw | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qatar (H) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | United Arab Emirates | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Oman | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| H: Hosts |
Rising stars and players to watch in the AFC
- Japan: Takefusa Kubo and Ritsu Doan have become match-winners for the Samurai Blue, complementing veterans like Minamino.
- South Korea: Son Heung-min remains the fulcrum for the Taeguk Warriors, while Lee Kang-in has emerged as a pivotal playmaker with world-class potential.
- Iran: Mehdi Taremi and Sardar Azmoun remain prolific, making Team Melli one of the region’s most formidable attacking forces.
- Uzbekistan: Abdukodir Khusanov‘s exploits, Elor Shomurodov’s goals, and Jaloliddin Masharipov’s creativity have pushed the White Wolves into history.
- Jordan: Musa Al-Taamari has emerged as the symbol of Jordanian football’s renaissance.
Group B
| Position | Team | Matches Played | WIns | Draw | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saudi Arabia (H) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Iraq | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Indonesia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| H: Hosts |
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Asia: In retrospect
The AFC’s journey has been remarkable since it began, from its humble beginnings to hosting the world in 2002.
Asian qualifiers no longer feel like warm-up events – they are fiercely competitive tournaments in their own right.
Similarly, the October 2025 fixtures promise drama, with Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Qatar fighting to join the already qualified AFC teams.
Looking ahead, Asia’s representation in 2026 is expected to be its strongest ever.
With world-class stars and passionate fan bases, AFC nations are no longer content with participation – they believe, and want, to win the whole thing.
Stay on top of every breakthrough and fixture—visit our FIFA World Cup 2026 website now for the latest football news, ticket information, and exclusive updates through every stage of the qualifiers.
