The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be one of the most anticipated sporting events in the world. As football fans eagerly await the tournament, national teams from across the globe are battling it out in the qualifying stages to secure their spot in the prestigious competition. In the Asian region, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is conducting its qualification process, providing a thrilling journey for football enthusiasts in the continent.
FIFA World Cup
The qualification process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the AFC region is designed to be both challenging and fair, giving all eligible FIFA-affiliated nations an opportunity to compete. The format, announced in August 2022, has been revamped to accommodate an increased finals allocation of eight direct qualifiers and one inter-confederation play-off slot.
First Round: The first round features 20 teams ranked from 27th to 46th in the AFC. These teams will play home-and-away fixtures over two legs, with the ten winners progressing to the second round.
Second Round: In the second round, the ten winners from the first round join 36 teams ranked from 1st to 26th in the AFC. These 46 teams are divided into nine groups of four, where each team plays home and away against the others in their group. The nine group winners and runners-up advance directly to the third round and also qualify for the AFC Asian Cup.
Third Round: The 18 teams that progress from the second round are divided into three groups of six. Once again, teams play home and away against their group opponents. The top two teams from each group qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the third and fourth-placed teams advance to the fourth round.
Fourth Round: The six teams that advance from the third round are split into two groups of three. They play against each other once at a neutral venue, and the group winners secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The runners-up from each group proceed to the fifth round.
Fifth Round: The two runners-up from the fourth round compete in a home-and-away playoff to determine the Asian representative in the inter-confederation play-offs.
Inter-Confederation Play-offs
The winner of the fifth round playoff will join one team each from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), and the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), along with two teams from the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) in the inter-confederation play-offs.
These five teams will be ranked based on the FIFA Men’s World Ranking. The lowest-ranked four teams will play in two single-elimination matches, with the winners progressing to face the two highest-ranked teams in another set of single-elimination matches. The ultimate winners of these two matches will secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Asian region is undoubtedly filled with excitement and tension. Teams will face numerous challenges as they battle it out on the field to secure a place in football’s most celebrated tournament. For players and fans alike, this is a momentous occasion, a chance to represent their nations and showcase their talent on the global stage.
As the qualification process unfolds, expect thrilling matches, passionate performances, and unforgettable moments that will shape the final lineup of teams that will compete for glory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by Saudi Arabia. Football fans worldwide eagerly anticipate the spectacle that awaits, as the beautiful game unites nations and brings joy to millions.