The eighth round of the 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers promises thrilling and intense matches as teams strive for a precious spot in the final tournament. Teams face immense pressure, as the top two will qualify directly for the World Cup, the third and fourth-placed teams will advance to the fourth round, while the bottom two will be eliminated.
Group A: Iran and Uzbekistan Lead, UAE and Qatar Face Tight Race
In Group A, Iran (19 points) and Uzbekistan (16 points) are comfortably at the top, seemingly assured of a place in the final tournament. UAE and Qatar, with 10 points, must fight hard to maintain their positions, avoiding a drop down the standings. Kyrgyzstan and North Korea’s chances of an upset are slim.
In round 8, Iran will face Uzbekistan. A draw will consolidate Iran’s lead. For the remaining matches, UAE are expected to overcome North Korea, while Qatar may win against Kyrgyzstan.
Group B: South Korea, Jordan, and Iraq in a Tricky Three-Way Battle
In Group B, the competition between South Korea (15 points), Jordan, and Iraq (both with 12 points) is incredibly intense. South Korea needs a victory over Jordan at home to maintain their World Cup hopes. Iraq are expected to win their match against Palestine to solidify their position. The match between Kuwait and Oman will also be crucial in determining the fourth spot.
Group C: Japan Already Qualified, Others Fight for Remaining Spots
Japan has already secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup, three rounds ahead of schedule. The battle in Group C between Australia (10 points), Saudi Arabia (9 points), Indonesia, Bahrain, and China (all with 6 points) remains fiercely contested in these final three matches.
Following a heavy defeat against Australia (1-5), Indonesia needs a victory over Bahrain to have a chance of reaching the top three. China must also defeat Australia at home to avoid early elimination. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia aims for points against Japan to keep their hopes alive for a top-two finish.
Detailed Match Schedule (March 25th and 26th)
This article provides a detailed match schedule for the eighth round, including specific times and locations.
Conclusion
The eighth round of the 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers promises a series of thrilling and intense matches. The fierce competition between teams will heighten the excitement of the tournament. Let’s await the upcoming developments in the race for the final tournament spots.
References
- Original Article Source (AFC) (Images sourced from the original article)
