Excitement is building in Asian football as just six teams battle for spots in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The AFC Asian Qualifiers’ Road to 26 Playoffs Group Stage kicks off this week, with high-stakes matches that could shape the region’s lineup for the global tournament.
These teams are split into two groups. In Group A, you’ll find Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman. Group B features Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia. Each group winner grabs a direct ticket to the World Cup, joining the six Asian squads that already qualified. The runners-up get one more shot: they’ll face off in a two-legged knockout tie on November 13 and 18, with the winner heading to the intercontinental playoffs against teams from other regions for a chance at one of two extra berths.
Oman stands out as the underdog here, chasing their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in their 10th qualifying campaign. Indonesia, Iraq, and the UAE each aim for a second trip to the big stage—Indonesia’s last was way back in 1938 as the Dutch East Indies. Qatar and Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, want to make it two in a row after shining in recent tournaments.
The action starts on October 8 at Qatar’s Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, where Oman (FIFA rank 78) takes on the host Qatar (rank 53). Oman heads in confident after beating Qatar 2-1 in their last meeting at the Gulf Cup in December 2024—their first win over the Maroons in 11 tries since 2009. Qatar, the reigning AFC Asian Cup champs, will push hard for a strong home start in their 11th World Cup qualifiers, building on their 2022 hosting debut.
Things heat up on October 11 when the UAE (rank 67) hosts Oman in Group A. The UAE drew 1-1 with Oman in their most recent clash at the Gulf Cup, and they’re hungry to end a long World Cup drought since their 1990 debut—this marks their 11th qualifying effort.
Over in Group B, all matches happen at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. The opener on October 8 at 8:15 p.m. local time pits Indonesia (rank 119) against Saudi Arabia (rank 59). Indonesia, the only team from Round 1 to reach this stage, stunned Saudi Arabia with a draw and then a historic win in the second round. Saudi Arabia, eyeing a seventh World Cup overall and third straight, will look for payback.
On October 11 at 10:30 p.m., Iraq (rank 58) makes their entrance against Indonesia. Iraq boasts a dominant record, winning their last eight meetings—including both recent qualifier games. They’re after a second World Cup spot and first since 1986.
The final round wraps up on October 14, with Qatar facing the UAE in Group A and Saudi Arabia clashing with Iraq in Group B. Football fans across Asia can’t wait to see which teams punch their ticket to FIFA World Cup 2026.
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