Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup has been a long journey so far, a gauntlet that will require — at a minimum — multiple group stages.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will put eight teams directly into the 2026 World Cup, with a ninth team going to the inter-confederation playoffs in hopes of making the tournament. Only Africa and Europe will put more teams in the 2026 World Cup than Asia.

Five spots have already been confirmed with Japan and Iran easing to qualification after dominating qualifying, while both Uzbekistan and Jordan have qualified for the first time as it will be hugely exciting to see them at the World Cup in 2026. South Korea have also made it with Heung-min Son still their leading star in attack.

Australia are on the verge of qualifying as Tony Popovic’s

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