Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup will be a long journey, a gauntlet that will require — at a minimum — multiple group stages. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will put eight teams ...

World Cup Asian Qualifiers are upon us, and the stage is set for an electrifying showdown among 18 teams. As one of the globe's most significant sporting events, the World Cup serves not only as a ...

Japan became the first national team to qualify through the World Cup qualifiers, with New Zealand and Argentina also ...

After matchday eight of Asia's World Cup qualifiers, ESPN's writers answer the burning questions, provide analysis and break ...

We've still got a long way to go until the World Cup kicks off next June. Outside of the three hosts -- the U.S., Mexico, and Canada-- and, as of Thursday, Japan, no one else has even qualified yet.

With the 2026 World Cup set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament will feature a record 48 teams. As of now, several continental qualifiers are deep into their ...

These Japanese stars have helped their country to secure World Cup qualification for the eighth successive tournament. Iran became the second team to qualify from Asia for the World Cup.

Branko Ivankovic’s China lineup faces another reality check in World Cup qualifying and risks falling further behind the ...

Iran qualified for the 2026 World Cup after Mehdi Taremi scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan on Tuesday. The Inter ...

With the FIFA World Cup growing to 48 teams, opportunity is knocking for Asia. Now guaranteed eight direct entrants to the expanded tournament, as well as the chance to make it nine through an ...

Here are the main talking points from what was another topsy-turvy round of games in World Cup qualifying across Asia. While the Samurai Blue have never made it beyond the round of 16, the Japan ...