Former Gokulam star Farshad Noor sends Afghanistan to World Cup qualifiers Round 2

Afghanistan will join India, Qatar and Kuwait in Group A of Round 2 World Cup qualifiers.

Afghanistan booked their place in the next round after they beat Mongolia 1-0 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 second leg match on Tuesday.

The result gave Afghanistan a 2-0 win on aggregate and they join Qatar, India and Kuwait in Group A in Round 2 that kicks off on November 16. 

It was a tepid affair in the first half with neither team able to dictate play in the afternoon kick-off in the capital of Mongolia.

The home side created their first opportunity in the 25th minute when Uuganbat Bat-Erdene got his head to a cross, but his effort lacked the potency to trouble Faisal Hamidi.

Five minutes later, Afghanistan came close to opening the scoring with Mongolia struggling to clear from a corner kick but Taufee Skandari's rasping drive from distance sailed just over the bar.

A swift counter attacking move in the 38th minute saw Ganbayar Ganbold's trickery on the right beating Skandari and his cutback to the near post was perfect for Temulen Uuganbat but Hamidi produced an outstanding save to deny the Mongolians.

Mongolia, through the lively Ganbold, were the first to threaten in the second half with the winger cutting in from the right in the 50th minute only to drag his shot just wide of the post.

But it was the visitors who finally broke the deadlock in the 71st minute. Skandari was released down the left and his cross found Farshad Noor, with the midfielder sending his first-time finish into the roof of the net to take Afghanistan through.