2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (Asia): Round 2 Matchday 1 round-up
India beat Kuwait by 1 goal
The latest round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (Asian region) delivered a football spectacle, featuring major clashes that underscored the competitiveness of the tournament. It featured compelling showdowns, including India facing Kuwait, Japan taking on Myanmar, and Syria challenging North Korea. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia clashed with Pakistan, and Lebanon went head-to-head with Palestine.
The latest round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (Asian region) delivered a football spectacle, featuring major clashes that underscored the competitiveness of the tournament. It featured compelling showdowns, including India facing Kuwait, Japan taking on Myanmar, and Syria challenging North Korea. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia clashed with Pakistan, and Lebanon went head-to-head with Palestine.
In Group A, Qatar demonstrated their dominance with a remarkable 8-1 victory over Afghanistan, showcasing their offensive prowess and solidifying their position as frontrunners in the group. Meanwhile, India secured a narrow 1-0 win against Kuwait, setting the stage for an intriguing battle for supremacy in this tightly contested group.
Group B witnessed Japan's commanding performance as they secured a 5-0 win against Myanmar, highlighting their strength in the competition. In another fixture, Syria clinched a crucial 1-0 victory over Korea DPR, adding an element of unpredictability to the group standings.
Turning to Group C, the Korean Republic continued their strong campaign with a convincing 5-0 win over Singapore, while China PR emerged victorious in a closely contested match against Thailand with a 2-1 scoreline. The competition in Group C is heating up, promising intense battles for the top spot.
In Group D, Malaysia emerged victorious in a high-scoring encounter, defeating Kyrgyz Republic 4-3. At the same time, Oman secured a comfortable 3-0 win against Chinese Taipei, setting the stage for a competitive race to the top of the group.
Group E saw Uzbekistan triumphing over Turkmenistan with a 3-1 win, asserting their strength in Central Asia. Meanwhile, IR Iran displayed their dominance with a resounding 4-0 victory against Hong Kong. Both teams are now set to battle for supremacy in what promises to be a closely contested group.
Vietnam secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over the Philippines in Group F, while Iraq showcased their attacking prowess with a resounding 5-1 win against Indonesia. The group is shaping up to be fiercely competitive, with these teams eyeing a spot in the next stage of the qualifiers.
In Group G, Tajikistan and Jordan played out a tightly contested 1-1 draw, leaving the group dynamics open. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, displayed their dominance with a convincing 4-0 win over Pakistan, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the top spot.
Group H featured the United Arab Emirates delivering a clinical 4-0 win against Nepal, while Bahrain secured three crucial points with a 2-0 victory over Yemen. The competition in this group is intensifying as teams aim to secure a coveted spot in the next stage.
Lastly, in Group I, Australia asserted their strength with a dominant 7-0 triumph over Bangladesh, underlining their status as clear favourites in the group. The fixture between Lebanon and Palestine ended in a goalless draw, leaving the group open for potential upsets in the subsequent matches.
Date | Stage | Home | Result | Away | Venue |
November 16 2023 | Group A | Qatar | 8-1 | Afghanistan | Khalifa International Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group A | Kuwait | 0-1 | India | Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group B | Japan | 5-0 | Myanmar | Suita City Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group B | Syria | 1-0 | North Korea | Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group C | South Korea | 5-0 | Singapore | Seoul World Cup Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group C | Thailand | 1-2 | China | Rajamangala Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group D | Oman | 3-0 | Chinese Taipei | Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex |
November 16 2023 | Group D | Malaysia | 4-3 | Kyrgyzstan | Burkit Jalil Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group E | Iran | 4-0 | Hong Kong | Azadi Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group E | Turkmenistan | 1-3 | Uzbekistan | Ashgabat Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group F | Iraq | 5-1 | Indonesia | Basra International Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group F | Philippines | 0-2 | Vietnam | Rizal Memorial Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group G | Saudi Arabia | 4-0 | Pakistan | Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group G | Tajikistan | 1-1 | Jordan | Central Republican Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group H | United Arab Emirates | 4-0 | Nepal | Al-Maktoum Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group H | Yemen | 0-2 | Bahrain | Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group I | Australia | 7-0 | Bangladesh | Melbourne Rectangular Stadium |
November 16 2023 | Group I | Lebanon | 0-0 | Palestine | Khalid bin Mohammed Stadium |
As the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers progress, each group presents its own unique narrative, with teams battling fiercely for top spots and a chance to advance in the prestigious tournament.
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