Group A: Qatar (hosts), United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman
Group B: Saudi Arabia (hosts), Iraq, Indonesia

Group winners qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Subsequently, the runners-up from each group will face off in the two-legged AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs Knockout Stage on 13 Nov (Runners-up A vs Runners-up B, 1st leg) and 18 Nov (Runners-up B vs Runners-up A, 2nd leg), with the winners advancing to the FIFA Playoff Tournament.

Australia, Japan, Jordan, the Republic of Korea, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Uzbekistan have already confirmed their spots at the Finals. Who will be next in line to join the elite at next year's global showpiece?

Knockout Stage (for group runners-up)

• 13 Nov – 1st leg: Runners-up Group A vs Runners-up Group B

• 18 Nov – 2nd leg: Runners-up Group B vs Runners-up Group A

Group A – Qatar (H), UAE, Oman
How they got here: all three advanced from the Third Round and now have three high-stakes nights to finish the job.

Qatar's most significant edge is obvious - they host the group and understand the rhythm of short tournament windows better than most. Expect strong control of moments and a deep bench to manage three matches in seven days.

Key fixtures & tips
• Oman v Qatar – Recent record between these two: one draw and one win each across the last three, with 10 goals total. That tells you two things—goals can flow, and margins are tight. With Almoez Ali and Akram Afif fresh and the supporting cast deep, Qatar's extra gears at home matter late.

Prediction: Oman 1–2 Qatar.

• UAE v Oman – Oman have been unbeaten in the last three meetings with UAE and arrive with belief. In a compact schedule, striking power and clarity in transitions matter; in-form Muhsen Al-Ghassani (AFC Champions League Two™) can tilt a balanced tie.

Prediction: UAE 0–2 Oman.

• Qatar v UAE – Final matchday pressure. Qatar will push to control territory and tempo; the UAE has the names to punch back in moments—Ali Saleh and Fábio Lima provide an end-product threat. Expect swings and set-piece weight.

Prediction: Qatar 2–2 UAE.

Group B – Saudi Arabia (H), Iraq, Indonesia
Saudi Arabia hold the clearest edge: home crowd, familiarity with short tournament windows, and a bench deep enough to manage the schedule.

Iraq bring steel through midfield and a real width threat. Indonesia carry Southeast Asia’s last flag—energetic, improving in transition, and learning fast at continental tempo.

Key fixtures & tips
• Indonesia v Saudi Arabia – The opener shapes the whole group. Saudi should control rhythm, with Salem Al-Dawsari—Al-Hilal SFC's maestro—finding pockets and deciding half-spaces. Indonesia's route is compact, defending and quick outlets to Mauro Zijlstra, a newly eligible and straight-line runner who changes the pace after regaining.

Prediction: Indonesia 1–3 Saudi Arabia.

• Iraq v Indonesia – Only three days' recovery, so set-pieces and second balls loom considerable—both Iraqi strengths. Ibrahim Bayesh links midfield to the front with late box arrivals, while Marko Farji (Strømsgodset) brings direct pace from vast areas. Indonesia must avoid cheap fouls in their defensive third.

Prediction: Iraq 2–0 Indonesia.

• Saudi Arabia v Iraq – Likely the decider. The hosts have the crowd and late-game substitutions to tilt the minutes from 70 to 90, but Iraq can punish in transition if Bayesh/Farji escape down the flanks. Al-Dawsari remains the key to unlocking tight phases for Saudi Arabia.

Prediction: Saudi Arabia 2–1 Iraq.

Play it smart: the overall champion—top points across the entire tournament—wins the Grand Prize of USD 1,000 voucher with a signed jersey and a signed match ball.

The top three performers during the Playoff Stage also earn USD 500 vouchers and signed merchandise.

Remember, the Grand Prize is decided by total points from MD1 all the way to the end of the Playoffs, so keep pushing if you’ve been in since the start.

Predict now at the-afc.com/aq_matchpredictor or the AFC LIVE app.