Islamic Republic of Iran's dream of a fourth AFC Asian Cup™ title was ended by Qatar in the semi-finals of the 2023 edition in February, with the West Asian side going on to lift the coveted trophy for the second successive time. The teams will meet again in Group A with Iran targeting a fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance while Qatar will aim to qualify on merit, having made their debut as hosts of the 2022 edition.

Given Iran's status as perennial FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Team Melli will be expected to take one of the two automatic spots from the group to the Finals. It may, however, not be easy as Qatar, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates all enjoyed unbeaten second round campaigns while debutants Kyrgyz Republic and DPR Korea - who have twice been to the FIFA World Cup - will be determined to stamp their mark.

Uzbekistan will head into the third round optimistic of taking one of the two automatic spots to the Finals. They ended the second round of the qualifiers unbeaten, which included two draws against Iran, and held their own against Qatar in the AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals with the hosts needing a penalty shootout to advance. Given the wide pool of talented players coming through the ranks, Uzbekistan will surely be challenging for an automatic spot to the Finals.

DPR Korea advanced to the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 after a bittersweet second round campaign but their opponents will do well to treat the East Asian side with caution. Their indomitable spirit saw them finish second behind Japan in the second round and having been forced by the COVID-19 pandemic to withdraw from the 2022 AFC Asian Qualifiers, DPR Korea will be determined to seal a place in the Finals for a third time.

Kyrgyz Republic created history by advancing to this stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers and the Central Asian side will now have to brace themselves for what lies ahead with DPR Korea the only team ranked below them in the group. Maksim Lisitsyn's side, however, will relish the chance of locking horns with some of the continent's best sides and given their strength when playing at home, the big boys had better be on their toes.