AFC Asian Qualifiers
Kuwait (Group A), DPR Korea (Group B), China PR (Group C), Kyrgyz Republic (Group D) and Indonesia (Group F) were the final five sides to book their spots in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and confirm their tickets to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals after Matchday Six.
Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic and Palestine will be making their debuts in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Cast
Group A winners - Qatar
Group A winners - Qatar
Group A runners-up - Kuwait
Group A runners-up - Kuwait
Group B winners - Japan
Group B winners - Japan.jpg?q=80)
Group B runners-up - DPR Korea
Group B runners-up - DPR Korea.jpg?q=80)
Group C winners - Korea Republic
Group C winners - Korea Republic
Group C runners-up - China PR
Group C runners-up - China PR.jpg?q=80)
Group D winners - Oman
Group D winners - Oman
Group D runners-up - Kyrgyz Republic
Group D runners-up - Kyrgyz Republic
Group E winners - Islamic Republic of Iran
Group E winners - Islamic Republic of Iran
Group E runners-up - Uzbekistan
Group E runners-up - Uzbekistan
Group F winners - Iraq
Group F winners - Iraq
Group F runners-up - Indonesia
Group F runners-up - Indonesia
Group G winners - Jordan
Group G winners - Jordan.JPG?q=80)
Group G runners-up - Saudi Arabia
Group G runners-up - Saudi Arabia
Group H winners - United Arab Emirates
Group H winners - United Arab Emirates
Group H runners-up - Bahrain
Group H runners-up - Bahrain.JPG?q=80)
Group I winners - Australia
Group I winners - Australia
Group I runners-up - Palestine
Group I runners-up - Palestine
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Kuwait joined Group A winners Qatar after defeating Afghanistan 1-0 on Tuesday, pipping India to the runners-up spot.
DPR Korea turned on the power to defeat Myanmar 4-1 to finish second behind Japan, who did their East Asian neighbours a favour by beating Syria 5-0.
Japan completed their Group B campaign with a perfect record of six wins, scoring an impressive 24 goals and conceding none as they closed in on an eighth consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup.
Korea Republic edged China PR 1-0 as the runaway Group C winners - seeking an 11th successive FIFA World Cup Finals appearance - concluded their campaign with 16 points.
The loss, however, didn't prove costly for China PR as their superior head-to-head ratio against Thailand saw the East Asian side advancing after both teams finished on eight points and identical goal differences.
Group D saw Kyrgyz Republic create history by taking the second spot behind Oman after the two sides drew 1-1.
Oman topped the group on 13 points with Kyrgyz Republic second with 11, with Malaysia missing out despite coming from behind to beat Chinese Taipei 3-1.
Islamic Republic of Iran won Group E on goal difference after playing to a goalless draw with Uzbekistan, with both sides having confirmed their spots in the next stage with two matches to spare.
Indonesia were the other history makers on the night as their 2-0 win against the Philippines meant finishing second in Group F behind Iraq.
The Southeast Asian will be appearing in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time in its current format.
Iraq, meanwhile, defeated Vietnam 3-1 to finish their second round campaign with a perfect six wins.
Jordan stunned Saudi Arabia 2-1 to finish top of Group G on goal difference, with both teams having booked their spots ahead of Tuesday's encounter.
United Arab Emirates’ perfect run came to an end as Bahrain held them 1-1 but Paulo Bento’s side were runaway Group H winners, finishing on 16 points.
Australia were another side to complete their campaign with six wins, defeating Palestine 5-0 to finish with 22 goals scored and none conceded.
Palestine, however, wouldn't have been too disappointed with the result as they are the third team who will be making their debut in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, having confirmed their spot on Matchday Five.
The draw for the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 27 with the 18 teams to be divided into three groups with eight confirmed spots to the 2026 Finals.
An additional spot via a playoff is also available.
The 18 sides who did not advance will now shift their focus to the third round of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifiers, with only six spots available.
Joining them in the 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.
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