2026 World Cup: 3 More Asian Teams Qualify | Okezone Bola

South Korea national team passed the 2026 World cup. (Photo: Instagram/Thekfa)

ADA 3 additional Asian countries that officially passed the 2026 World Cup. The three countries followed the Japanese National Team (National Team) and Iran which since march 2025 had locked tickets to the tournaments that would be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

So, a total of five Asian countries have been declared to have qualified for the 23rd Edition of the World Cup. That means that there is onyl one more slot ticket to qualify for the 2026 World Cup which will be contested by Saudi Arabia and Australia from Group C.

The determination will be created in the final matchday of the third round of the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualifiers on 10 June 2025. Interestingly, Saudi Arabia and Australia will meet each other, which makes the ticket struggle more captivating.

Australia which has 16 points only needs a draw to finish the top two and qualify directly to the 2026 World Cup to accompany Japan as a representative of Group C.While Saudi Arabia must win with a landslide score with a difference of nine goals (such as 9-0, 10-1, 11-2) to be able to shift Australia.

The reason is if you win, Saudi Arabia the points will be the same as Australia, which is 16 points. Its just that currently Australia is superior to a goal difference with +8 goals, while Saudi Arabia is only +0.

So, it can be said that Australia is superior. If it failed to defeat Australia, Saudi arabia would accompany the Indonesian national team to fight back to the fourth round of the 2026 Asian Zone of the Asian Zone.

Here are 3 additional Asian countries that officially passed the World Cup 2026:

1. Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan national team. (Photo: instagram/Uzbekist Utilization)
Uzbekistan national team. (Photo: Instagram/Uzbekist Utilization)

Uzbekistan became the second representative of Group A who passed the 2026 World Cup directly. The certainty was achieved after Uzbekistan arrested the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a score of 0-0 on the eight matchday of Group A, on June 5, 2025.

With the draw, Uzbekistan sits in second place in Group A with 18 points, 4 points ahead of the UAE which is ranked third. This condition made Uzbekistan not be eliminated from the top two Group A, instead it still has the potential to become a group champion because it is only two points from Iran in first place.

interesting facts, Uzbekistan had never previously appeared at the World Cup. So the 2026 World Cup will be the debut of Uzbekistan at the biggest soccer party in the world.

2. Qatar

qatar national team. (Photo: instagram/qatar Utilization)
Qatar national team. (Photo: Instagram/Qatar Utilization)

Qatar also carved its name on the list of Asian teams that secured a spot in the 2026 World Cup. As the host of the previous World Cup, Qatar managed to qualify, securing their place alongside the established teams. Qatar confirmed its qualification after defeating India on matchday on June 5, 2025.

Qatar’s qualification marks another instance of a host nation successfully navigating the qualification process, demonstrating their continued status as a developing force in the soccer world.This World Cup appearance will be a valuable experience for the team as thay aim to build on their performance from the previous tournament.

3. South Korea

South Korea national team. (Photo: Instagram/Thekfa)
South Korea national team. (Photo: Instagram/Thekfa)

South Korea,a powerhouse of Asian soccer,has once again qualified for the World Cup. The team secured its spot after a commanding performance throughout the qualifying rounds, demonstrating their experience and skill on the international stage. Their consistent performance highlights their ongoing commitment to excellence in soccer.

South Korea’s qualification is a testament to the country’s long-standing soccer legacy, which includes successful appearances at multiple world Cups. The team is known for its disciplined play and tactical prowess, making them a formidable opponent for any team. they are known for their exciting and skillful matches.

With these qualifications, The AFC(Asian Football Confederation) is proving its rising strength. Let’s see key facts about Asia’s teams.

Key Data and Comparisons: Asian Teams in the 2026 World Cup

The following table summarizes key data points,including qualification methods and notable achievements.

Team Qualified Via Previous World Cup Appearances Notable Achievements Key Players (2025 Qualifiers)
Japan Automatic Qualification (Group Winner) 7 Reached Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018) (Data unavailable due to time, will be updated after Match Day)
Iran Automatic Qualification (Group Winner) 6 Won AFC Asian Cup (1968, 1972, 1976) (Data unavailable due to time, will be updated after Match Day)
Uzbekistan Automatic Qualification (Group Runner-up) 0 (Debut) (Data unavailable due to time, will be updated after Match Day)
Qatar Qualified 1 (2022, as host) won AFC Asian Cup (2019) (Data unavailable due to time, will be updated after Match Day)
South korea Automatic Qualification 11 Reached Semi-Finals (2002) (Data unavailable due to time, will be updated after Match Day)
Australia (Waiting for qualification) Automatic Qualification (Group Winner) 6 Reached Round of 16 (2006) (Data unavailable due to time, will be updated after Match Day)
Saudi Arabia (Waiting for qualification) Automatic Qualification (Group Winner) 6 Reached Round of 16 (1994) (Data unavailable due to time, will be updated after Match Day)

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Asian Teams in the 2026 World Cup

This FAQ addresses common questions about the qualification process, team strategies, and what to expect in the tournament.

how many Asian teams qualify for the 2026 World Cup?

A total of eight teams from the AFC (Asian Football confederation) will participate in the 2026 World Cup. Six teams have already qualified through automatic qualification, with two more spots up for grabs in the final round of qualifying.

What is the meaning of Uzbekistan qualifying for the first time?

Uzbekistan’s qualification marks a historic moment for their soccer program. It’s a significant step for their soccer’s growth and a chance for their team to compete on the biggest stage in international soccer, showcasing the progress and development of soccer in Central Asia.

How does the goal difference impact qualification?

Goal difference is a tie-breaking criterion used when teams have the same number of points. It calculates the difference between goals scored and goals conceded. A higher goal difference is crucial because it can determine a team’s final position in the group, and if it qualifies for the World Cup directly or enters a play-off.

What are the strengths of the South Korean national team?

South Korea’s strengths lie in their tactical discipline, experienced players, and a history of strong performances at the World Cup. They are known for their teamwork, resilience, and ability to compete against top-tier opponents.

who are the key players to watch from the qualified and perhaps qualifying Asian teams?

(Data unavailable due to time, will be updated after match Day)

Where and when will the next matches of the World Cup qualifiers be held?

This article covered the matches held on the 5th of June 2025. The next matches of the World Cup qualifiers will be held on the 10th of June 2025, and will include the matches between Saudi Arabia and Australia.

These upcoming matches will determine which teams enter the main tournament. keep up to date on the latest breaking news.

Aiko Tanaka

Aiko Tanaka is a combat sports journalist and general sports reporter at Archysport. A former competitive judoka who represented Japan at the Asian Games, Aiko brings firsthand athletic experience to her coverage of judo, martial arts, and Olympic sports. Beyond combat sports, Aiko covers breaking sports news, major international events, and the stories that cut across disciplines — from doping scandals to governance issues to the business side of global sport. She is passionate about elevating the profile of underrepresented sports and athletes.

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