2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification – AFC Overview
| Round | Teams | Format | Qualification Outcome |
| First Round | 20 teams (ranked 27–46) | Home-and-away over two legs | 10 winners advance to the second round; best loser advances to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup third round; remaining teams go to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup play-off round |
| Second Round | 36 teams (ranked 1–26, 10 first-round winners) | 9 groups of 4 teams, home-and-away basis | 9 group winners and runners-up advance to the third round and qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup; remaining teams advance to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup third round |
| Third Round | 18 teams | 3 groups of 6 teams, home-and-away basis | Top 2 teams from each group qualify for the FIFA World Cup; 3rd and 4th placed teams advance to the fourth round |
| Fourth Round | 6 teams | 2 groups of 3 teams, single round-robin in neutral venue | Group winners qualify for the FIFA World Cup; runners-up advance to the fifth round |
| Fifth Round | 2 teams | Home-and-away over two legs | Winner advances to the inter-confederation play-offs |
The Exciting Road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup: AFC Qualification Journey
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be an extraordinary event, especially for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) teams. With eight direct qualifying slots and one inter-confederation play-off slot, the journey to the world’s biggest football tournament is both thrilling and challenging. The Asian section of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification is meticulously structured, spanning five rounds that test the mettle of every participating nation.
First Round: Setting the Stage
The first round kicked off with 20 teams ranked from 27 to 46, engaging in intense home-and-away matches. This stage is crucial as it determines the 10 winners who move forward to the second round. Additionally, the best loser from this round earns a spot in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification third round, while the other teams head to the play-off round. The excitement here lies in the high stakes and the immediate knock-out nature of the competition.
Second Round: The Real Battle Begins
The second round sees a significant expansion with 36 teams entering the fray. These teams are split into nine groups of four, where they compete in a home-and-away format. The top two teams from each group, comprising the winners and runners-up, not only advance to the third round but also secure their places in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. This round is pivotal as it filters out the elite teams capable of contending on the global stage.
Third Round: The Crucial Phase
In the third round, the competition gets fiercer with 18 teams divided into three groups of six. Here, teams battle it out in a home-and-away format, and only the top two teams from each group earn direct qualification to the FIFA world cup qualification. The 3rd and 4th placed teams, however, aren’t out of the race; they advance to the fourth round, keeping their World Cup dreams alive. This round is often seen as the make-or-break stage for many teams.
Fourth Round: The Penultimate Test
The fourth round brings together six teams, split into two groups of three. Unlike previous rounds, these matches are held at a neutral venue in a single round-robin format. The stakes are incredibly high as the group winners secure a direct spot in the FIFA World Cup, while the runners-up proceed to the fifth round. This round tests the teams’ adaptability and resilience in a neutral setting, adding another layer of complexity to the qualification process.
Fifth Round: The Final Hurdle
The fifth round is the final and most nerve-wracking phase of the FIFA world cup qualification journey. The runners-up from the fourth round groups face off in a home-and-away format. The winner of this round earns the coveted spot in the inter-confederation play-offs, representing Asia on a global stage. This final round is a test of endurance, skill, and mental strength, as teams give their all for a chance to play in the World Cup.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
The Asian section of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification is a testament to the growing competitiveness and passion for football in the region. Each round presents unique challenges and opportunities, making the journey to the World Cup as thrilling as the tournament itself. As the teams battle through these stages, fans across Asia and the world eagerly watch, hoping their national team will make it to the grand stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Match Schedule for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification – AFC Region
| Round | Matchday | Date |
| First Round | First leg | 12 October 2023 |
| Second leg | 17 October 2023 | |
| Second Round | Matchday 1 | 16 November 2023 |
| Matchday 2 | 21 November 2023 | |
| Matchday 3 | 21 March 2024 | |
| Matchday 4 | 26 March 2024 | |
| Matchday 5 | 6 June 2024 | |
| Matchday 6 | 11 June 2024 | |
| Third Round | Matchday 1 | 5 September 2024 |
| Matchday 2 | 10 September 2024 | |
| Matchday 3 | 10 October 2024 | |
| Matchday 4 | 15 October 2024 | |
| Matchday 5 | 14 November 2024 | |
| Matchday 6 | 19 November 2024 | |
| Matchday 7 | 20 March 2025 | |
| Matchday 8 | 25 March 2025 | |
| Matchday 9 | 5 June 2025 | |
| Matchday 10 | 10 June 2025 | |
| Fourth Round | Matchday 1 | October 2025 |
| Matchday 2 | October 2025 | |
| Matchday 3 | October 2025 | |
| Fifth Round | First leg | November 2025 |
| Second leg | November 2025 |
This table provides a clear overview of the match dates for each round of the qualification process.
Countries Participating in 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification – AFC Region
| Country |
| Afghanistan |
| Mongolia |
| Maldives |
| Bangladesh |
| Singapore |
| Guam |
| Yemen |
| Sri Lanka |
| Myanmar |
| Macau |
| Nepal |
| Laos |
These countries are playing in the First Round of the qualification matches. Additional countries will join in the Second Round based on the outcomes of these initial matches.
What is the Asian section of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification?
The Asian section of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification is the process through which national teams from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) compete to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
How many teams from the AFC will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Eight teams from the AFC will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with an additional team having the opportunity to qualify through an inter-confederation play-off.
How many rounds are there in the qualification process?
The qualification process consists of five rounds.
Do these rounds also serve as qualification for any other tournament?
Yes, the first two rounds also serve as qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
How many teams entered the qualification process?
All FIFA-affiliated nations in Asia entered the joint qualification process for both the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
What happened to the Northern Mariana Islands in the qualification process?
The Northern Mariana Islands, not being a FIFA member, were initially supposed to enter through the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification play-off round but were excluded from the draw.
What is the format of the first round?
In the first round, 20 teams (ranked 27–46) played home-and-away over two legs. The ten winners advanced to the second round.
What happens in the second round?
In the second round, 36 teams (ranked 1–26 and ten first-round winners) are divided into nine groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group advance to the third round and automatically qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
How are the third-round matches structured?
In the third round, 18 teams are divided into three groups of six teams. The top two teams of each group qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup, while the third and fourth-placed teams advance to the fourth round.
What happens in the fourth round?
The fourth round involves six third and fourth-placed teams from the third round, divided into two groups of three teams. The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup, and the runners-up advance to the fifth round.
How does the fifth round work?
In the fifth round, the group runners-up from the fourth round compete home-and-away over two legs to determine the Asian representative for the inter-confederation play-offs.
When and where did the draw for the first and second rounds take place?
The draw for the first and second rounds took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 27 July 2023.