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Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia were all drawn together on Thursday in the third stage of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in a “group of death” that also includes China.
The 18 remaining Asian teams battling it out for eight direct qualification places were drawn into three groups of six at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.
Son Heung-min’s South Korea were given a more straightforward-looking assignment when they were drawn to face Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine and Kuwait in Group B.
Iran and Asian Cup champions Qatar head Group A and will play Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Kyrgyzstan and North Korea.
Matches will be played on a home-and-away basis from this September to June 2025, with the top two in each group qualifying directly for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Teams finishing third and fourth in their groups will advance to the fourth round of Asian qualifying.
Hajime Moriyasu, whose Japan side beat Spain and Germany to reach the knockout rounds of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, called Group C “a tough group”.
Indonesia — in the third qualifying phase for the first time — and Bahrain are the other teams in that group.
“We had to do it the hard way in the qualifiers for the last World Cup and we’re going to have to dig even deeper this time,” Japan coach Moriyasu told reporters after the draw in the Malaysian capital.
“But I want us to be ready for it, be brave and go for it. I ask that the fans fight along with us.”
Graham Arnold took Australia to the last 16 in Qatar, where they went out 2-1 to eventual champions Argentina.
Like Japan, Australia had a 100 percent record in the second qualifying round for 2026 and did not concede a goal.
“We knew this round of qualifying would present challenges however the draw panned out,” Arnold said. “I feel it’s important we embrace those challenges, with our mindset, belief and camaraderie integral to achieve our goal of qualification.”
China have only reached the World Cup once, in 2002, and coach Branko Ivankovic knows his side are up against it in the same group.
“Ours is the hardest group in this round,” he said. “But we want to be a serious opponent for any team. Of course we have three strong teams — Saudi, Japan and Australia — that participated in the last World Cup.”
Third round AFC qualification draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
Group A: Iran, Qatar, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, Kyrgyzstan, North Korea
Group B: South Korea, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, Kuwait
Group C: Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China, Indonesia
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Good luck to Japan.
Japan used to be lucky with such draws, not this time.
Yes I am sure Japan will make it to the World Cup, it is just that it has to fight every match for it.
I remember last time during qualifying Australia was undefeated winning all its matches until it met Japan who were defeated in all their matches anf the stage and the end result was Japan beating Australia! Australia always has trouble beating Japan because maybe they show too much fear and respect Japan soccer team unconditionally… this makes them lose to Japan always!
Should be a walk in the park for Japan.
Beat both Germany and Spain at the last World Cup.
Japan has a very good team.
Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia were all drawn together on Thursday in the third stage of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in a “group of death” that also includes China.
“Group of death”? Do they get executed on elimination?
Though it could be a lot harder…. They could be in any of the European or South American qualification groups.
Japan is one of the strongest teams in the world. They have the best players in the best teams in Europe, as well as the dominant league in Asia. They should make the last four at this years World Championships.
They should make the last four at this years World Championships.
Which “world championships” of football are being held this year? The Olympics? That is essentially an under-23 tournament without most world stars. Hardly the world cup.
Anyway, good luck to Moriyasu Japan. South Korea have a waaay easier draw, good luck to them also.
I see Japan winning all their games in this group. Japan and The Saudi will be the two team going forward from this group. The rest, Australia and China will get a last ditch chance in some sort of knock out against the other Asian teams who miss out in the first round.
I fully expect Australia, Japan and Saudi Arabia to all make it to the 2026 world cup, even if one has to playoff in rounds after the main round three selection stage. This strong group will be good preparation for these teams leading up to the world cup where they will face off against the worlds best.
Good luck to all.
Mark my words, Japan will be the Champions in 2026.
I remember last time during qualifying Australia was undefeated winning all its matches until it met Japan who were defeated in all their matches anf the stage and the end result was Japan beating Australia! Australia always has trouble beating Japan because maybe they show too much fear and respect Japan soccer team unconditionally… this makes them lose to Japan always!
Hardly always, as I remember the game Japan played against Australia at the world cup in Germany. Japan took a one goal lead in the first half, in stifling hot condtions and held the lead into the last ten minutes. Then Australia scored three quick goals in about five minutes to win the game convincingly, and Australia went on to the knockout rounds, losing 1 – 0 to Italy who went on to win the world cup in Germany.
The good thing about soccer is anything can happen, and with good teams like Australia and Japan they can beat anyone when they play at their very best. So good luck to all and enjoy the games.
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