Jordan and Uzbekistan booked inaugural appearances at the FIFA World Cup after thrilling campaigns. Uzbekistan finished second in Group A while Jordan emerged the Group B runners-up. They join perennial qualifiers Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan and Korea Republic at the Finals.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who were at the last edition, will have to navigate the playoffs if they want to feature at the 2026 party. Two tickets will be at stake in the playoffs, with the six teams to be divided into two groups, with only the top side from each sealing automatic berths.

Having booked their spot in the playoffs in dramatic fashion, Oman will be hoping to go all the way in the playoffs, with the West Asian side the only one among the six teams not to have featured in the FIFA World Cup Finals before. Saudi Arabia are perennial qualifiers while United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Qatar and Indonesia (then known as Dutch East Indies) have appeared on the global stage once each. 

The two runners-up from the playoff groups will square off, with the winners advancing to the FIFA Play-off Tournament, where an additional ticket to the Finals will be at stake.

Japan confirmed an eighth consecutive appearance at the Finals with ease, as Hajime Moriyasu's side scored at will to top Group C. The Samurai Blue netted 30 goals, with Group B winners Korea Republic scoring 20 and Islamic Republic of Iran - who topped Group A - finding the back of the net 19 times.

There was a bit of a wobble but not enough to stop Korea Republic from confirming an astonishing 11th consecutive and 12th overall appearance at the FIFA World Cup Finals. Australia will be featuring for the sixth straight edition while it will be four in a row for Iran. 

Bahrain suffered heartbreak and it was due to their inability to finish off their chances, with the West Asian side only managing a tournament-low five goals. China PR, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia also found goals elusive, with each only managing seven in 10 matches. 

Qatar finished fourth in Group A to secure a playoff berth but the back-to-back AFC Asian Cup™ winners have to work on their defence if they are to advance to next year's Finals. They conceded a tournament-high 24 goals, three more than DPR Korea - the team with the second worst defensive record.