Qatar are already assured of finishing top of Group A, with the two-time AFC Asian Cup™ winners having confirmed their spot in the next round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers with two matches to spare.

This leaves only one spot available and the race promises to be intense with all three remaining teams still very much in the race.

India - on four points - sit in second place but only on goal difference ahead of Afghanistan with Kuwait a point behind.

In what will be captain Sunil Chhetri's final international match, India host Kuwait on June 6 with both teams knowing defeat is not an option.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be aiming for an upset against Qatar as the Central Asian side look to create history by advancing to the third round

Venue: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium (Kolkata)

Kick-off: 19:00 (UTC+5:30)

Venue: Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium (Al-Hasa)

Kick-off: 19:00 (UTC+3)

Japan are another side who confirmed their third round spot with two matches to spare but Hajime Moriyasu's side are unlikely to take it easy against a Myanmar team who sit six points behind second-placed Syria.

Japan, seeking an eighth consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup, were not in action on Matchday Four after their tie against DPR Korea was awarded to them by default and Moriyasu will be eager to see his charges in action.

Syria, meanwhile, will head to the neutral venue of the National Stadium in Vientiane knowing avoiding defeat against DPR Korea will secure them their spot in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals.

Venue: Thuwunna Stadium (Yangon)

Kick-off: 18:40 (UTC+6:30)

Venue: National Stadium, KM16 (Vientiane)

Kick-off: 20:00 (UTC+7)

Korea Republic only need a draw while a win for China PR will see both sides booking their spots with a match to spare.

Korea Republic, seeking an 11th consecutive and 12th overall appearance at the FIFA World Cup, will be confident of seeing off the challenge of a Singapore side already out of the running.

China PR, meanwhile, can expect a fired up Thailand with the Southeast Asian side needing the three points to keep their hopes alive.

Venue: Shenyang Olympic Stadium (Shenyang)

Kick-off: 20:00 (UTC+8)

Venue: National Stadium (Singapore)

Kick-off: 20:00 (UTC+8)

Victories for Oman and Kyrgyz Republic will confirm them as the top two teams in Group D, which will end Malaysia's hopes of advancing to the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Kyrgyz Republic will host Malaysia with the Central Asian side determined to avenge their 4-3 defeat after having led 3-1 with just 18 minutes remaining in the corresponding fixture last November.

Oman, meanwhile, will expect to cruise past a Chinese Taipei side still seeking their first points after four consecutive defeats.

Venue: Taipei Municipal Stadium (Taipei)

Kick-off: 19:00 (UTC+8)

Venue: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium (Bishkek)

Kick-off: 21:00 (UTC+6)

Having completed their respective tasks by Matchday Four, Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan will be aiming to top Group E in their remaining matches.

Both are on 10 points, with Iran ahead on goal difference with Turkmenistan and Hong Kong, China already out of the running.

Iran are away to Hong Kong while Uzbekistan host Turkmenistan and a win for both pacesetters will set up a blockbuster Matchday Six clash between the two at the Azadi Stadium on June 11.

Venue: Mongkok Stadium (Hong Kong)

Kick-off: 20:00 (UTC+8)

Venue: Bunyodkor Stadium (Tashkent)

Kick-off: 20:30 (UTC+5)

Indonesia will target the win they need to confirm their spot in the next round when they meet Iraq in Group F.

Their West Asian opponents have already sealed their berth and Indonesia will aim to join them with victory at the majestic Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, with Shin Tae-yong's side brimming with confidence after their exploits in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

With several of the players from that squad then being part of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ side that came within a whisker of qualifying for the Paris Olympics, Indonesia will also look to avenge their 5-1 defeat to Iraq in the corresponding fixture.

Vietnam, meanwhile, will need to defeat Philippines and hope Iraq beat Indonesia to keep their hopes of advancing alive.

Venue: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (Jakarta)

Kick-off: 16:00 (UTC+7)

Venue: My Dinh Stadium (Hanoi)

Kick-off: 19:00 (UTC+7)

Saudi Arabia and Jordan will confirm their third round spots with victories on Matchday Five.

Saudi Arabia, held 1-1 by Tajikistan on Matchday Four, hold a three-point lead at the top and will be confident of their chances against a Pakistan side who have suffered four consecutive defeats.

Jordan, however, can expect a tough challenge from Tajikistan, with the Central Asian side two points adrift of their West Asian rivals going into the tie.

Venue: Jinnah Stadium (Islamabad)

Kick-off: 20:30 (UTC+5)

Venue: Amman International Stadium (Amman)

Kick-off: 20:30 (UTC+3)

With United Arab Emirates having already secured their berth, Bahrain will aim to join them in the next round when they play Nepal.

Bahrain only need a point but will fancy all three against a Yemen side who still have an outside chance of going through.

UAE, meanwhile, will look to make it five wins from five when they play a Nepal side who lost their previous four matches.

Venue: Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium (Dammam)

Kick-off: 19:00 (UTC+3)

Venue: Bahrain National Stadium (Riffa)

Kick-off: 20:30 (UTC+3)

Palestine only need a draw against Lebanon to book their spot - a result which will end the hopes of their West Asian rivals - when they face off at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

Having impressed in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, booking a spot in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be another milestone for Palestine and they will be determined to get it right.

Australia, having already confirmed their spot, will aim to make it a fifth straight victory when they play Bangladesh.

Venue: Bashundhara Kings Arena (Dhaka)

Kick-off: 16:45 (UTC+6)

Venue: Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (Doha)

Kick-off: 19:00 (UTC+3)