FIFA World Cup
It promises to be a thrilling campaign for all of the Asian sides, with each bidding to create history.
As we get set for the action, the-AFC.com highlights a key player for each of the Asian teams at the global showpiece.
As we get set for the action, the-AFC.com highlights a key player for each of the Asian teams at the global showpiece.
Jackson Irvine (Australia)
A fully-fit Irvine was the best possible news Australia could have hoped for when the Socceroos gathered for the final phase of their FIFA World Cup 2026 preparations.
A fully-fit Irvine was the best possible news Australia could have hoped for when the Socceroos gathered for the final phase of their FIFA World Cup 2026 preparations.
The midfielder endured an injury-plagued season, which ultimately saw his St Pauli side relegated from the Bundesliga.
Now 33, Irvine started all four of Australia’s matches at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and contributed three goals as Australia cruised through qualifying for the 2026 edition after a slow start.
Now 33, Irvine started all four of Australia’s matches at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and contributed three goals as Australia cruised through qualifying for the 2026 edition after a slow start.
Mehdi Taremi (IR Iran)
Set to appear in his third FIFA World Cup, Taremi will be a crucial factor in Islamic Republic of Iran’s bid to navigate past the group stage for the first time.
Set to appear in his third FIFA World Cup, Taremi will be a crucial factor in Islamic Republic of Iran’s bid to navigate past the group stage for the first time.
A clinical finisher, the 33-year-old’s aerial ability and intelligent tactical movement are additional assets that Taremi can call upon to power Iran, with the centre-forward netting 10 goals and providing seven assists in qualifying.
Having played extensively in Europe - with Greek side Olympiacos FC his current club - the 1.87m tall Taremi’s experience will be needed in Group G where Iran will have Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand to contend with.
Having played extensively in Europe - with Greek side Olympiacos FC his current club - the 1.87m tall Taremi’s experience will be needed in Group G where Iran will have Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand to contend with.
Aymen Hussein (Iraq)
Hussein is undoubtedly a player for the big occasions, having scored vital goals for Iraq time and again.
Hussein is undoubtedly a player for the big occasions, having scored vital goals for Iraq time and again.
In fact, he struck the winner as Iraq edged Bolivia 2-1 in the Inter-Confederation Playoff which sealed the West Asian side’s return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since they made their debut on the global stage in 1986.
The 30-year-old contributed eight goals and one assist in Iraq’s qualifying campaign and head coach Graham Arnold will be hoping the centre-forward remains fit throughout with his side having to battle with France, Senegal, and Norway in a tough Group I.
The 30-year-old contributed eight goals and one assist in Iraq’s qualifying campaign and head coach Graham Arnold will be hoping the centre-forward remains fit throughout with his side having to battle with France, Senegal, and Norway in a tough Group I.
Takefusa Kubo (Japan)
Kubo has to step up for Japan in the absence of Kaoru Mitoma, who will miss the tournament with a heartbreaking late hamstring injury.
Kubo has to step up for Japan in the absence of Kaoru Mitoma, who will miss the tournament with a heartbreaking late hamstring injury.
Still only 25, Kubo has become one of Japan’s key players and the Real Sociedad attacker showed his worth in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26, scoring four goals and making eight assists.
With head coach Hajime Moriyasu believing Japan can lift the coveted trophy, the burden will be immense but if Kubo produces his best, the East Asian side can certainly be expected to hold their own against Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia in Group F.
With head coach Hajime Moriyasu believing Japan can lift the coveted trophy, the burden will be immense but if Kubo produces his best, the East Asian side can certainly be expected to hold their own against Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia in Group F.
Mousa Al Tamari (Jordan)
Jordan’s hopes of making an impact on their FIFA World Cup debut will rest heavily on the shoulders of Mousa Al Tamari, the country’s most influential attacking talent.
Nicknamed “Jordan’s Messi” for his dribbling ability and speed, the 28-year-old playmaker has established himself in European football with Rennes this season, having made history with Montpellier - becoming the first Jordanian player to both play and score in Europe.
Jordan’s hopes of making an impact on their FIFA World Cup debut will rest heavily on the shoulders of Mousa Al Tamari, the country’s most influential attacking talent.
Nicknamed “Jordan’s Messi” for his dribbling ability and speed, the 28-year-old playmaker has established himself in European football with Rennes this season, having made history with Montpellier - becoming the first Jordanian player to both play and score in Europe.
Blessed with unrelenting work rate and skill, Al Tamari has been the driving force behind Jordan’s rise in recent years. He played a pivotal role in the nation’s run to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ final and was equally influential as Jordan secured qualification for their first-ever FIFA World Cup with seven goals and two assists.
Son Heung-min (Korea Republic)
In what is likely to be his final appearance on the global stage, Son Heung-min will be determined to steer Korea Republic to a successful tournament. The 33-year-old skipper will be a crucial player for the East Asian side, who have not advanced past the Round of 16 since their exhilarating run to the semi-finals of the 2002 edition.
In what is likely to be his final appearance on the global stage, Son Heung-min will be determined to steer Korea Republic to a successful tournament. The 33-year-old skipper will be a crucial player for the East Asian side, who have not advanced past the Round of 16 since their exhilarating run to the semi-finals of the 2002 edition.
Son, who is Korea Republic’s second-highest scorer with 56, heads into the tournament with a lack of goals for Los Angeles FC this season but netted a brace in the 5-0 victory against Trinidad and Tobago in an international friendly last week.
Son’s importance to Korea Republic was also seen in their qualifying campaign, where he scored 10 goals and made four assists.
Son’s importance to Korea Republic was also seen in their qualifying campaign, where he scored 10 goals and made four assists.
Salem Al Dawsari (Saudi Arabia)
Saudi Arabia will once again look to Salem Al Dawsari to provide inspiration on the world stage, with the veteran midfielder remaining one of Asia's most accomplished players.
Saudi Arabia will once again look to Salem Al Dawsari to provide inspiration on the world stage, with the veteran midfielder remaining one of Asia's most accomplished players.
A two-time AFC Player of the Year, the 34-year-old is Saudi Arabia’s co-leading scorer at the FIFA World Cup alongside the legendary Sami Al Jaber with three goals, including his famous winner against Argentina at the Qatar 2022.
Al Dawsari contributed three goals and one assist during the qualifying campaign as Saudi Arabia booked their place at the global showpiece. With his experience, creativity and eye for goal, the Al Hilal SFC star will be determined to lead his side deep into the tournament and add to his legacy.
Al Dawsari contributed three goals and one assist during the qualifying campaign as Saudi Arabia booked their place at the global showpiece. With his experience, creativity and eye for goal, the Al Hilal SFC star will be determined to lead his side deep into the tournament and add to his legacy.
Akram Afif (Qatar)
Afif remains the creative heartbeat of Qatar’s attack as they prepare for their second FIFA World Cup campaign. The versatile forward is known for his sharp vision, dribbling and ability to deliver in clutch situations.
Afif remains the creative heartbeat of Qatar’s attack as they prepare for their second FIFA World Cup campaign. The versatile forward is known for his sharp vision, dribbling and ability to deliver in clutch situations.
Afif played a decisive role in Qatar’s qualification journey, finishing with four goals and 11 assists as he orchestrated much of their attacking play.
Heading into the tournament, the two-time AFC Player of the Year will once again be relied upon to provide the cutting edge and creativity needed for Qatar to compete at the highest level.
Heading into the tournament, the two-time AFC Player of the Year will once again be relied upon to provide the cutting edge and creativity needed for Qatar to compete at the highest level.
Eldor Shomurodov (Uzbekistan)
Shomurodov heads into Uzbekistan's world stage debut very much a player at the top of his game after a sterling campaign in the Turkish top-flight, claiming the Super Lig's Golden Boot by scoring 22 goals and adding 5 assists across 34 appearances for Istanbul Başakşehir.
Shomurodov heads into Uzbekistan's world stage debut very much a player at the top of his game after a sterling campaign in the Turkish top-flight, claiming the Super Lig's Golden Boot by scoring 22 goals and adding 5 assists across 34 appearances for Istanbul Başakşehir.
Uzbekistan's all-time top scorer with 44 goals, the 31-year-old forward was at the forefront with standout performances as the Central Asian side finally savoured qualification to the global stage.
Shomurodov contributed five goals and four assists in qualifying and with Uzbekistan blessed with an exciting crop of players, the captain will be determined to lead them past Group K, with Portugal, Congo DR and Colombia their opponents.
Shomurodov contributed five goals and four assists in qualifying and with Uzbekistan blessed with an exciting crop of players, the captain will be determined to lead them past Group K, with Portugal, Congo DR and Colombia their opponents.
Poll ends at 20:00 (UTC+8) on June 11
