Saudi Arabia set for Iraq, Indonesia clashes as Qatar gear up for UAE, Oman in Asian qualifiers for 2026 FIFA WC
The six teams were divided into two groups, with only the top side from each to join the six Asian nations already through at next year's global showpiece.
The second-placed teams from both groups will square off in a two-legged showdown across November 13 and 18. This knockout stage will determine the continent's representative at the FIFA Playoff Tournament, which offers one final qualifying opportunity.
A draw was also held to determine the host team of the knockout stage, with the Group A runners-up to host the first leg.
Australia, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan have already confirmed their spots at the Finals.
Qatar, aiming to qualify for the FIFA World Cup on merit after having made their debut as hosts in 2022, advanced to the playoffs after finishing fourth in Group A of the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.
UAE, seeking a second appearance at the Finals following their debut in the 1990 edition, finished third in Group A while Oman - hoping for a debut appearance at the global showpiece - finished fourth in Group B.
Saudi Arabia, bidding for a third consecutive and seventh overall appearance at the Finals, have to navigate the playoffs after finishing third in Group C of the third round.
Iraq, whose only previous appearance at the FIFA World Cup was in 1986, advanced to the playoffs after finishing third in Group B while Indonesia, whose previous appearance at the FIFA World Cup Finals was in the 1938 edition, finished fourth in Group C.
Draw Result
Group A: Qatar (H), UAE, Oman
Group B: Saudi Arabia (H), Iraq, Indonesia
Knockout Stage
13 November
1st leg: Runners-up Group A v Runners-up Group B
18 November
2nd leg: Runners-up Group B v Runners-up Group A
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Ranking series wrestling: Asian U-23 champion Sujeet Kalkal secures gold
Asian under-23 champion Sujeet Kalkal toppled some established names on his way to secure the 65kg freestyle gold medal at the Ranking Series wrestling event in Budapest. Sujeet, also a Worlds under-23 bronze medallist in 70kg, defeated Paris Olympics bronze medallist Albanian Islam Dudaev 11-0 in the first round, European silver medallist Frenchman Khamzat Arsamerzouev 11-0 in the quarterfinals and two-time Olympian and 2023 World championships bronze medallist Armenian Vazgen Tevanyan 6-1 in the semifinals. In the final, the 22-year-old Indian — who had picked up a Grade-3 ligament tear in his knee during the senior Asian championships in March — beat European bronze medallist Azerbaijan's Ali Rahimzade 5-1 to secure his second gold medal, after winning the Asian under-23 title about three weeks ago. This was Sujeet's second Ranking Series gold after the one he won in Tunisia three years ago. Rahul (57kg) defeated 2023 European under-23 champion German Niklas Stechele 4-0 for the bronze.
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Sujeet Kalkal topples established names to claim gold in Budapest Ranking Series
Asian under-23 champion Sujeet Kalkal toppled some established names on his way to secure the 65kg freestyle gold medal at the Ranking Series wrestling event in Budapest. Sujeet, also a Worlds under-23 bronze medallist in 70kg, defeated Paris Olympics bronze medallist Albanian Islam Dudaev 11-0 in the first round, European silver medallist Frenchman Khamzat Arsamerzouev 11-0 in the quarterfinals and two-time Olympian and 2023 World championships bronze medallist Armenian Vazgen Tevanyan 6-1 in the semifinals. In the final, the 22-year-old Indian – who had picked up a Grade-3 ligament ankle tear during the senior Asian championships in March – beat European bronze medallist Azerbaijan's Ali Rahimzade to secure his second gold medal of the year, after winning the Asian under-23 title about three weeks ago. Sujeet bounced back from being down 1-0 at the break against Rahimzade, applying pressure early in the second period as he tallied five points to claim a stunning win. This was Sujeet's second Ranking Series gold after the one he won in Tunisia three years ago. Rahul (57kg) defeated 2023 European under-23 champion German Niklas Stechele 4-0 for the bronze. Related Topics Sujeet Kalkal
India Today
4 hours ago
- India Today
India's Vision 2047 can wait as football's leaky boat needs fixing first
'Vision 2047"A phrase that sounds like it belongs on a billboard in a sci-fi movie, not in the middle of the current Indian the time India turns 100 as an independent nation, the AIFF wants the national team to be rubbing shoulders with Asia's best, competing at the top level, and backed by a vibrant footballing ecosystem. All of that sounds But here's the thing: you can't start building a future when the present feels like it's running on duct tape and crossed SUPER LEAGUE? MORE LIKE 'IN SUSPENDED LIMBO'The Indian Super League — that glitzy, made-for-television, poster child of modern Indian football — is on 2025–26 season is currently on hold. Why? Because the AIFF and FSDL, the people who helped bring the ISL to life, are locked in a messy power struggle over control of the league. The dispute is now sitting with the Supreme Court, which is as far away from a football field as you can where does that leave clubs? In complete can't plan. Players can't prep. Pre-seasons are unofficial workouts. Foreign signings are already pulling back. And most critically, fans — the lifeblood of the league are left with more questions than fixtures.A league that was supposed to stabilise Indian football now feels like a passenger waiting for the conductor to decide which track to SEASON, NO COACHJust weeks after the ISL stalled, the Indian men's national team found itself in another familiar situation: Mrquez, the Spanish coach brought in after Igor Stimac, walked away after India failed to make it to the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. But the real blow came from that home defeat to Hong Kong — 0-2 in Kolkata — which now threatens India's path to the AFC Asian Cup here we are again. No coach, no matches scheduled, and no official word on what the roadmap looks like for the rest of the to sell the dream of 2047 when you don't know who's in charge of paused careers and frozen futuresIndian footballers today aren't just athletes, they're survivors of being a 23-year-old centre-back who had a breakout ISL season. You're fit, you're ready, and then silence. Your club hasn't announced pre-season. There's no clarity on the is the generation that Vision 2047 is supposed to uplift. But what they're getting instead is a blank calendar and a bunch of postponed in that silence, career momentum slips through the without structure is just wishful thinkingTo be fair, Vision 2047 has all the right boxes ticked — grassroots development, infrastructure, international exposure, women's football and talent here's the issue: that kind of ambition demands consistency. And Indian football, right now, is anything but are on pause. Federation decisions swing like a pendulum. The national team setup resets every few months. And instead of steady progress, it feels like the sport is stuck in a feedback loop of crisis, scramble, fix the now before we pitch the next 20 yearsLook, dreaming big is not the problem. It's necessary. Every footballing nation that's risen has done so on the back of long-term vision. But before you chase the next two decades, maybe get the next two seasons the league structure. Communicate with clubs. Appoint a coach with a plan. Give players some certainty. Give fans something to hold on no one's asking for miracles. Just for Indian football to stop getting in its own way.- EndsMust Watch
