Six of the slots for the next phase of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers were filled after Matchday Four in March, with Australia, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Qatar, Uzbekistan and United Arab Emirates confirming their spots, which also meant tickets to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals. That leaves only 12 places available for the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers - which will offer eight confirmed spots to the Finals with an additional berth available through a playoff.

Only 12 Asian nations have appeared at the FIFA World Cup Finals but with the continent having a confirmed allocation of eight for the 48-team global showpiece in 2026, the door is open for new faces to take their place among the globe's best when the United States, Canada and Mexico co-host the tournament.

Korea Republic are seeking an 11th consecutive and 12th overall appearance at the FIFA World Cup, with Japan - at seven - the second highest team in terms of participation. Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia have featured in the Finals five times each.

The 18 teams who do not advance to the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers will instead challenge for the remaining six AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 places. Joining them in final round of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers will be Bhutan, Maldives, Laos and the victors from the playoffs between Sri Lanka and Cambodia, Timor-Leste and Mongolia and Brunei Darussalam and Macau.

Four of Asia's six representatives at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 have already confirmed their third round spots in the 2026 qualifiers, with Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia the odd ones out. Both teams, however, will be confident of confirming their tickets over the next two matchdays. Asia's other representatives at the 2022 Finals were Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan and hosts Qatar.

Qatar (Group A), Japan (Group B), Iraq (Group F), United Arab Emirates (Group H) and Australia (Group I) will head into the final two matchdays determined to maintain their perfect records, having each won their previous four matches.

Lebanon and Vietnam, who were among the 12 teams to progress to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers, are in serious danger of missing out this time around. Lebanon sit third in Group I on two points, 10 behind already qualified Australia and - crucially - five adrift of second-placed Palestine with just two matches remaining. Vietnam are third in Group F on three points, behind Iraq (12) and Indonesia (7).

There is still some work to be done but Afghanistan, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic, Palestine and Tajikistan will create history if they advance to the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, with none having appeared at this stage before.