UAE to face Qatar and Oman test in pursuit of FIFA WC 2026 berth

The six teams aiming to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 discovered their path to the Finals following the conclusion of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™™-Road to 26 Playoffs draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

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The six teams were divided into two groups, with only the top side from each to join the six Asian nations already through at next year's global showpiece.

The second-placed teams from both groups will square off in a two-legged showdown across November 13 and 18. This knockout stage will determine the Continent's representative at the FIFA Playoff Tournament, which offers one final qualifying opportunity.

Hosts Qatar will face the UAE and Oman in Group A, with matches to be played in a single round-robin format scheduled for Oct.8 to 14.

Group B hosts Saudi Arabia will have Iraq and Indonesia for company. A draw was also held to determine the host team of the knockout stage, with the Group A runners-up to host the first leg.

Australia, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan have already confirmed their spots at the Finals.

Qatar, aiming to qualify for the FIFA World Cup on merit after having made their debut as hosts in 2022, advanced to the playoffs after finishing fourth in Group A of the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.