2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 16 November 2023 – 11 June 2024 |
| Teams | 36 (from 1 confederation) |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 71 |
| Goals scored | 230 (3.24 per match) |
| Attendance | 1,372,016 (19,324 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) |  Almoez Ali(7 goals) |
The second round of 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC qualification, which also serves as the second round of 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification, began on 16 November 2023 and will be completed on 11 June 2024.[1][2]
Format[edit]
A total of 36 teams were drawn into 9 groups of 4 to play home-and-away round-robin matches. They included the 26 teams which received byes to this round, and the 10 winners from the first round.[3]
The winners and runners-up of each group will advance to the third round and qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. The third and fourth place teams will advance to the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualification.[4]
Seeding[edit]
The draw for the second round was held on 27 July 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[5]
The seeding was based on the FIFA World Rankings of July 2023 (shown in parentheses below). The identities of the first round winners were not known at the time of the draw.
Note: Bolded teams qualified for the third round of World Cup qualifying.
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
† Teams whose identity was not known at the time of the draw.
‡ Team moved to Pot 3 after the other Pot 4 teams had been drawn into groups; subsequently drawn at random from Pot 3.
Schedule[edit]
The schedule is expected to be as follows, according to the FIFA International Match Calendar.[1]
| Matchday | Date(s) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Groups[edit]
Group A[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|
|
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qatar (Q)
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 | +14 | 12 | World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup | — | 11 Jun | 8–1 | 3–0 | |
| 2 | India
|
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 4 | 0–3 | — | 1–2 | 6 Jun | ||
| 3 | Afghanistan
|
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 13 | −10 | 4 | Asian Cup qualifying third round | 6 Jun | 0–0 | — | 0–4 | |
| 4 | Kuwait
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 3 | 1–2 | 0–1 | 11 Jun | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
| Kuwait | 0–1 | India |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Afghanistan | 0–4 | Kuwait |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium, Khobar (Saudi Arabia)[note 2]
Attendance: 330
Referee: Ahmed Faisal Al-Ali (Jordan)
| Afghanistan | 0–0 | India |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Damac Club Stadium, Khamis Mushait (Saudi Arabia)[note 2]
Attendance: 3,900
Referee: Kim Hee-gon (South Korea)
| Kuwait | 1–2 | Qatar |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Afghanistan | v | Qatar |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Al Thumama Stadium, Doha (Qatar)[note 2]
Group B[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | 
|
|
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan (Q)
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | +14 | 12 | World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup | — | 11 Jun | 1–0 | 5–0 | |
| 2 | Syria
|
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 7 | 0–5 | — | 1–0 | 7–0 | ||
| 3 | North Korea
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 | Asian Cup qualifying third round | 0–3[a] | 6 Jun | — | 11 Jun | |
| 4 | Myanmar
|
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 19 | −17 | 1 | 6 Jun | 1–1 | 1–6 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
- ^ North Korea were originally scheduled to play host to Japan in Kim Il-sung Stadium. However, North Korea then decided against hosting it due to "a malignant infectious disease" spreading in Japan.[6] Due to the time gap and North Korea's inability to provide an alternative venue, FIFA subsequently decided that the match would neither be played nor rescheduled, and the matter was to be decided by FIFA Disciplinary Committee.[7][8] Japan were awarded a 3–0 victory by forfeit.[9][10]
| Syria | 1–0 | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City, Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)[note 4]
Attendance: 4,285
| Myanmar | 1–6 | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Syria | 0–5 | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City, Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)[note 4]
Attendance: 6,130
| Myanmar | 1–1 | Syria |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Syria | 7–0 | Myanmar |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam (Saudi Arabia)[note 4]
Attendance: 3,252
Referee: Pranjal Banerjee (India)
| North Korea | 0–3 Awarded[note 5] | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Group C[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | 
|
|
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Korea
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 1 | +11 | 10 | World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup | — | 11 Jun | 1–1 | 5–0 | |
| 2 | China
|
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 7 | 0–3 | — | 6 Jun | 4–1 | ||
| 3 | Thailand
|
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 4 | Asian Cup qualifying third round | 0–3 | 1–2 | — | 11 Jun | |
| 4 | Singapore
|
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 14 | −10 | 1 | 6 Jun | 2–2 | 1–3 | — |
| South Korea | 5–0 | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
| Thailand | 1–2 | China |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| China | 0–3 | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
Attendance: 39,969
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)
| Singapore | 2–2 | China |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| China | 4–1 | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Thailand | 0–3 | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
Group D[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | 
|
|
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyrgyzstan
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 9 | World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup | — | 1–0 | 6 Jun | 5–1 | |
| 2 | Oman
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 9 | 11 Jun | — | 2–0 | 3–0 | ||
| 3 | Malaysia
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 6 | Asian Cup qualifying third round | 4–3 | 0–2 | — | 11 Jun | |
| 4 | Chinese Taipei (Q)
|
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 11 | −10 | 0 | 0–2 | 6 Jun | 0–1 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
| Oman | 3–0 | Chinese Taipei |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
| Malaysia | 4–3 |  Kyrgyzstan |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Chinese Taipei | 0–2 | Kyrgyzstan |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Attendance: 1,028
Referee: Yahya Al-Mulla (United Arab Emirates)
| Oman | 2–0 | Malaysia |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Group E[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | 
|
|
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran (Q)
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 | +10 | 10 | World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup | — | 11 Jun | 5–0 | 4–0 | |
| 2 | Uzbekistan (Q)
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 10 | 2–2 | — | 6 Jun | 3–0 | ||
| 3 | Turkmenistan (Q)
|
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 11 | −8 | 1 | Asian Cup qualifying third round | 0–1 | 1–3 | — | 11 Jun | |
| 4 | Hong Kong (Q)
|
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 11 | −9 | 1 | 6 Jun | 0–2 | 2–2 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
| Turkmenistan | 1–3 | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Hong Kong | 2–2 | Turkmenistan |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Uzbekistan | 2–2 | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Attendance: 32,551
| Hong Kong | 0–2 | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Uzbekistan | 3–0 | Hong Kong |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
| Turkmenistan | 0–1 | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
Group F[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | 
|
|
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iraq (Q)
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | +11 | 12 | World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup | — | 5–1 | 11 Jun | 1–0 | |
| 2 | Indonesia
|
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 6 Jun | — | 1–0 | 11 Jun | ||
| 3 | Vietnam
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 3 | Asian Cup qualifying third round | 0–1 | 0–3 | — | 6 Jun | |
| 4 | Philippines
|
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 | −8 | 1 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
| Iraq | 5–1 | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Philippines | 1–1 | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Vietnam | 0–1 | Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Indonesia | 1–0 | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
| Iraq | 1–0 | Philippines |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) |
| Vietnam | 0–3 | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
Group G[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | 
|
|
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saudi Arabia[a]
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 10 | World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup | — | 11 Jun | 1–0 | 4–0 | |
| 2 | Jordan
|
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 7 | 0–2 | — | 6 Jun | 7–0 | ||
| 3 | Tajikistan
|
4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 5 | Asian Cup qualifying third round | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 11 Jun | |
| 4 | Pakistan (Q)
|
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 20 | −19 | 0 | 6 Jun | 0–3 | 1–6 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
- ^ Saudi Arabia has already qualified for the Asian Cup as the host nation.
| Tajikistan | 1–1 | Jordan |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Pakistan | 1–6 | Tajikistan |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Jordan | 0–2 | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Pakistan | 0–3 | Jordan |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Jordan | 7–0 | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
| Tajikistan | 1–1 | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
Group H[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | 
|
|
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Arab Emirates (Q)
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | +10 | 12 | World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup | — | 11 Jun | 2–1 | 4–0 | |
| 2 | Bahrain
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 9 | 0–2 | — | 6 Jun | 3–0 | ||
| 3 | Yemen
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 3 | Asian Cup qualifying third round | 0–3 | 0–2 | — | 11 Jun | |
| 4 | Nepal (Q)
|
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 14 | −14 | 0 | 6 Jun | 0–5 | 0–2 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
| United Arab Emirates | 4–0 | Nepal |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
| Yemen | 0–2 | Bahrain |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium, Abha (Saudi Arabia)[note 7]
Attendance: 1,291
Referee: Kim Jong-hyeok (South Korea)
| Nepal | 0–2 | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Nepal | 0–5 | Bahrain |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) |
|
| Yemen | 0–3 | United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium, Khobar (Saudi Arabia)[note 7]
Attendance: 1,135
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)
Group I[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | 
|
|
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia (Q)
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | +15 | 12 | World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup | — | 11 Jun | 2–0 | 7–0 | |
| 2 | Palestine
|
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 7 | 0–1 | — | 6 Jun | 5–0 | ||
| 3 | Lebanon
|
4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | −7 | 2 | Asian Cup qualifying third round | 0–5 | 0–0 | — | 11 Jun | |
| 4 | Bangladesh
|
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 14 | −13 | 1 | 6 Jun | 0–1 | 1–1 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024. Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
| Lebanon | 0–0 | Palestine |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Khalid bin Mohammed Stadium, Sharjah (United Arab Emirates)[note 9]
Attendance: 200
Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)
| Bangladesh | 1–1 | Lebanon |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
| Palestine | 0–1 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
Attendance: 14,537
Referee: Qasim Al-Hatmi (Oman)
| Palestine | 5–0 | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Attendance: 37,432
Referee: Shen Yinhao (China)
| Lebanon | v | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha (Qatar) [note 9]
Goalscorers[edit]
There have been 230 goals scored in 71 matches, for an average of 3.24 goals per match (as of 26 March 2024).
7 goals
5 goals
4 goals
3 goals
2 goals
Mitchell Duke- Craig Goodwin
- Harry Souttar
Sayed Baqer
Hossein Kanaanizadegan- Ramin Rezaeian
- Mehdi Taremi
Mohanad Ali- Aymen Hussein
Yazan Al-Naimat- Ali Olwan
Shabaib Al-Khaldi- Mohammad Daham
Kimi Merk
Dion Cools
Omar Al-Malki
Shehab Qunbar
Akram Afif- Mostafa Meshaal
Faris Ramli
Moayad Ajan- Alaa Al Dali
Amadoni Kamolov- Shahrom Samiev
- Rustam Soirov
Ruslan Mingazow
Sultan Adil
Otabek Shukurov- Oston Urunov
1 goal
Rahmat Akbari- Sharif Mukhammad
- Amredin Sharifi
- Keanu Baccus
- Brandon Borrello
- John Iredale
- Kye Rowles
- Kusini Yengi
- Ismail Abdullatif
- Kamil Al-Aswad
- Mahdi Al-Humaidan
- Ebrahim Al-Khattal
- Ali Madan
- Mohamed Marhoon
- Abdulla Yusuf Helal
Shekh Morsalin
Fernandinho- Wang Shangyuan
- Wei Shihao
Wu Yen-shu
Everton Camargo- Wong Wai
Sunil Chhetri- Manvir Singh
Jay Idzes- Egy Maulana Vikri
- Ragnar Oratmangoen
- Shayne Pattynama
- Saddil Ramdani
- Ramadhan Sananta
- Mehdi Ghayedi
- Mohammad Mohebi
- Omid Noorafkan
- Amir Al-Ammari
- Ali Al-Hamadi
- Youssef Amyn
- Zidane Iqbal
- Osama Rashid
- Bashar Resan
- Zaid Tahseen
Ritsu Dōan- Mao Hosoya
- Daichi Kamada
- Takefusa Kubo
- Yukinari Sugawara
- Ao Tanaka
- Mohammad Abu Zrayq
- Saed Al-Rosan
- Athbi Saleh
- Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov
- Ernist Batyrkanov
- Khristiyan Brauzman
- Valery Kichin
- Kai Merk
- Kayrat Zhyrgalbek uulu
Majed Osman- Faisal Halim
- Darren Lok
Soe Moe Kyaw- Win Naing Tun
Choe Ju-song- Han Kwang-song
- Ri Hyong-jin
- Mohammed Al-Ghafri
- Muhsen Al-Ghassani
- Issam Al-Sabhi
- Mataz Saleh
Rahis Nabi- Michel Termanini
Patrick Reichelt- Yusuf Abdurisag
- Tameem Al-Abdullah
- Hassan Al-Haydos
- Ahmed Al-Rawi
- Ahmed Alaaeldin
Firas Al-Buraikan- Salem Al-Dawsari
- Abdulrahman Ghareeb
- Abdullah Radif
- Shawal Anuar
- Jacob Mahler
Cho Gue-sung- Hwang Hee-chan
- Hwang Ui-jo
- Jung Seung-hyun
- Lee Jae-sung
- Lee Kang-in
- Park Jin-seop
- Omar Al Somah
- Ibrahim Hesar
- Ehson Panjshanbe
- Parvizdzhon Umarbayev
Supachok Sarachat- Sarach Yooyen
- Meýlis Durdyýew
- Khalifa Al Hammadi
- Abdullah Ramadan
- Ali Saleh
- Rustam Ashurmatov
- Khojimat Erkinov
- Igor Sergeev
Nguyễn Đình Bắc- Nguyễn Văn Toàn
Mohammed Al-Dahi- Omar Al-Dahi
1 own goal
- Pan Wen-chieh (against Oman)
- Jordi Amat (against Iraq)
- Khristiyan Brauzman (against Malaysia)
- Bassel Jradi (against Australia)
- Abdulla Idrees (against Yemen)
- Harwan Al-Zubaidi (against Bahrain)
Notes[edit]
- ^ Saudi Arabia has already qualified for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup as tournament hosts and are competing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- ^ a b c Afghanistan play their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Afghan conflict.
- ^ a b The hosting duties for the matches between North Korea and Syria were swapped on 2 November 2023.[11]
- ^ a b c Syria play their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Syrian civil war.
- ^ North Korea were originally scheduled to play host to Japan in Kim Il-sung Stadium. However, North Korea then decided against hosting it due to "a malignant infectious disease" spreading in Japan.[13] Due to the time gap and North Korea's inability to provide an alternative venue, FIFA subsequently decided that the match would neither be played nor rescheduled, and the matter was to be decided by FIFA Disciplinary Committee.[14][15] Japan were awarded a 3–0 victory by forfeit.[16][17]
- ^ a b Indonesia and Philippines swapped their fixtures on 31 October 2023, due to Indonesia hosting the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[18]
- ^ a b c Yemen play their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Yemeni civil war.
- ^ a b Nepal play their home matches at a neutral venue due to the Dasharath Rangasala failing to meet FIFA standard.[20]
- ^ a b Lebanon play all their home matches at a neutral venue until further notice, due to the adjacent Israel–Hamas war.[21][22]
- ^ a b c Palestine play all their home matches at a neutral venue until further notice, due to the ongoing Israel–Hamas war.[21][23]
- ^ a b Bangladesh was originally scheduled to host Palestine on 21 March 2024 with Palestine hosting the return fixture on 26 March in Kuwait. However, the order was later reversed due to Kuwait hosting Qatar also on 26 March.[24]
- ^ Lebanon played this home match in Australia, following AFC approval, due to the ongoing Israel–Hamas war.[25]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "AFC Competitions Calendar (Aug 2023 - Jul 2024)" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ "AFC Competitions Calendar (Aug 2024 - Jul 2025)" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ "Seedings revealed for FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers draw". AFC. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Asia's pathway to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 confirmed". AFC. 1 August 2022.
- ^ "Stage set for FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers draw". AFC. 5 July 2023.
- ^ "Football: North Korea not to host World Cup qualifier vs Japan". Mainichi Daily News. 2024-03-21. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
- ^ "Update on Korea DPR v Japan World Cup qualifying match". FIFA. 23 March 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ "North Korea-Japan qualifier in Pyongyang canceled by FIFA". AP News. 2024-03-23. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
- ^ "Japan awarded 3-0 forfeit win against North Korea". BBC Sport. 2024-03-30. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
- ^ "FIFA規律委員会の決定について 3.26 SAMURAI BLUE 対 朝鮮民主主義人民共和国代表（平壌）～FIFAワールドカップ26アジア2次予選 兼 AFCアジアカップサウジアラビア2027予選～". Japan Football Association. 31 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
- ^ "'4년 만의 월드컵 복귀' 북한 축구, 홈 아닌 제3국서 예선 1차전". Hankyung (in Korean). 2 November 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ "2023 FIFA Refereeing International Lists" (PDF). FIFA. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ "Football: North Korea not to host World Cup qualifier vs Japan". Mainichi Daily News. 2024-03-21. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
- ^ "Update on Korea DPR v Japan World Cup qualifying match". FIFA. 23 March 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ "North Korea-Japan qualifier in Pyongyang canceled by FIFA". AP News. 2024-03-23. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
- ^ "Japan awarded 3-0 forfeit win against North Korea". BBC Sport. 2024-03-30. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
- ^ "FIFA規律委員会の決定について 3.26 SAMURAI BLUE 対 朝鮮民主主義人民共和国代表（平壌）～FIFAワールドカップ26アジア2次予選 兼 AFCアジアカップサウジアラビア2027予選～". Japan Football Association. 31 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
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