After three grueling rounds, the Asian contingent is almost set for World Cup 2026. The usual suspects, South Korea, Japan, Iran, and Australia, are in, while Jordan and Uzbekistan made history after qualifying for the first time. UAE, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia must undergo the fourth round. And Kyrgyzstan, North Korea, Palestine, Kuwait, China, and Bahrain are already eliminated.
During the recently concluded international break, the six fourth-round teams battled it out. Qatar and Saudi Arabia claimed the top spots in Groups A and B, clinching their spots to next year’s showpiece event. On the other hand, UAE and Iraq will play against each other over two legs in November to determine which team advances to the inter-confederation play-offs, while Oman and Indonesia bowed out.
Many things are happening in the Asian region, and SBOTOP offers a quick recap of the latest World Cup 2026 updates.
Qatar qualified for the second straight time
Unlike in 2022, when they qualified as hosts for the World Cup, Qatar earned their spot in the Big Dance the hard way, as they experienced an up-and-down journey in the past few months.
After easing through the second round by going undefeated and taking the top spot of Group A, the Maroons struggled in the third round. With four wins, one draw, and five losses, Qatar finished fourth in Group A of the third round, so they had to go through the fourth round to book their World Cup tickets.
Qatar were in danger, as they dropped points in the first game of the fourth round, following a goalless draw against Oman last Wednesday. Despite being the aggressors, Julen Lopetegui’s side couldn’t find the back of the net. Meanwhile, UAE won 2-1 against Oman three days later to momentarily occupy the top seed.
With their World Cup hopes on the line, Qatar brought their A-game against UAE yesterday, and they recorded a 2-1 win to advance. Akram Afif led the attack, teeing up Boualem Khoukhi with a cross for the opening goal. The game was sealed in the 74th minute, when Pedro Miguel made it 2-0 with a towering header following a corner kick.
UAE, who only needed a draw to qualify directly, tried to respond with more possession, but they couldn’t crack Qatar’s defence. Their only goal came in stoppage time, as Sultan Adil pulled one back for the visitors, but it wasn’t enough.
Saudi Arabia join the fray via fine margins
Saudi Arabia will make their seventh World Cup appearance, establishing themselves as a consistent Asian powerhouse, and they also went through ups and downs in the Asian qualifiers.
The Green Falcons advanced to the third round by taking the second spot in Group G. Saudi Arabia would’ve taken a Top 2 seed in Group C in the third round if they hadn’t gone on a winless run following their 2-1 win over China in September 2024. They finished third in the group with only 13 points, with Indonesia right below them with 12.
Herve Renard’s men made amends in the fourth round by beating Indonesia 3-2 last Wednesday, and they shared the spoils with Iraq last night. Saudi Arabia and Iraq have the same points and goal difference, but the former moved on since they scored more goals (three to one).
Saudi Arabia surprised everyone when they defeated Argentina in the 2022 group stage. However, they eventually bowed out, finishing last in Group C after losing to Poland and Mexico in their subsequent games. Their best performance came in the 1994 World Cup, where they reached the Round of 16. Just like before, the World Cup 2026 odds have the Green Falcons as the underdogs, but they will gladly spoil the party if given the opportunity.
UAE and Iraq still have a puncher’s chance
As mentioned, UAE and Iraq are in the fifth round after finishing second in their fourth-round groups. These two nations will face off in a two-legged tie next month for a spot in the inter-confederation play-offs.
After breezing through the second round, UAE finished third behind Iran and Uzbekistan in the third round, and their fourth-round defeat against Qatar doomed them. Cosmin Olaroiu’s men have never qualified for the World Cup since 1990.
Iraq had a flawless run in the second round before Jordan and Saudi Arabia leapfrogged them in Group B in the third and fourth rounds, respectively. Graham Arnold’s side hopes to make it back to the World Cup for the first time since 1982.
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