The 3rd qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia has reached the halfway point. After 5 matches, Japan has won 13 points, 6 points more than the second-placed team, Australia. It is only a matter of time before the team from the land of the rising sun officially has a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
After losing to Japan on the evening of November 15, Indonesia fell to the bottom of Group C, with 3 points after 5 matches. Only North Korea (2) and Palestine (2) have won fewer points in the groups of the 3rd qualifying Round so far. It will be very difficult for Shin Tae-yong and his team to make a miracle in the current situation.
Indonesia will need 2 more points to become the Southeast Asian team with the best record in the 3rd qualifying round of the World Cup.
This record is held by the Vietnam team when they had 4 points after 10 matches in the 3rd qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup, finishing at the bottom of the group. Thailand also tried their hand at this round and only got 2 points in 2018.
The most exciting thing is Group A, where the teams are only 3 points ahead of each other. Iran temporarily leads with 13 points, closely followed by Uzbekistan with 10 points.
The hosts of the 2022 World Cup and the UAE are on 7 points, which means a win is enough for the teams to significantly change their rankings.
In Group B, South Korea leads with 13 points, 5 points ahead of second-placed Jordan. In this group, the gap between Jordan, Iraq and Oman is very close, promising an exciting race for the top 2.
According to the format of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Asia will be awarded more than 8 places, of which: The first 6 official places will be awarded to the 6 teams that finish first and second in the group in the 3rd qualifying round.
The 6 teams ranked 3rd and 4th will continue to participate in the 4th qualifying round to compete for 2 official tickets.
