August 11 – Reigning Asian Champions Qatar have had disastrous starts to their qualification campaigns for the 2026 World Cup, failing to win a game in either of the opening two rounds. They weren’t the only Asian power player to miss out on points, with Australia also failing to record a win.
The Asian Qualifiers, Road to 2026 kicked off over the international window with 18 teams competing in three groups of six. The top two teams in each group automatically qualify for 2026 while six third and fourth-placed teams from go into two groups of three teams with the winners of each group winning the last two AFC slots at 2026.
Qatar, who imperiously retained their Asian Cup title in January at their home-hosted Asian Cup finals, opened Group A 2026 qualification with a surprise 3-1 home loss to the UAE. They then followed that up in North Korea with a hard fought 2-2 draw with goals from Akram Afif and Almoez Ali.
Qatar twice had the lead in the first half before Kang Kuk-chol equalised early in the second half.
The Qataris now lie in fifth place in the group behind North Korea on goal difference. Uzbekistan and Iran head the group with two wins each.
In Group C, Australia are also in fifth place having opened with a 0-0 draw away to Indonesia but then being stunned by a 1-0 loss at home to Bahrain.
Forward Kusini Yengi was sent off in the 77th minute, with Australia then pubished again in the closing minutes when Harry Souttar deflected Abdulla Alkhalasi’s cross into his own goal.
Japan top the group with six points after imperious 5-0 and 7-0 wins against Bahrain and China, while Saudi Arabia are second on four points after a 2-1 win away to China and 1-1 home draw with Indonesia.
In Group B, South Korea who were surprised by Palestine in their opening game to draw 1-1, but beat Oman 3-1 to go joint top of the group on four points with Asian Cup 2024 losing finalists Jordan and Iraq.
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