FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
(Courtesy : Courtesy: AFC Asian Cup)
Waseem
The conclusion of the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers was eventful and produced loads of interesting outcomes. While some usual suspects like Japan, Australia, South Korea and so on made it to the final round of the qualifiers, some national teams were surprisingly competitive and earned a well-deserved place in the final round.
These teams were not expected to reach the final round of the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for multiple reasons. Be it their low ranking, low quality on an individual level or lack of consistency, these teams had their backs against the wall and performed fabulously to keep their dream of qualifying for the World Cup alive.
Keeping the focus on the surprise packages from the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, here are three teams that shocked everyone by securing a berth in the third round:
North Korea were not given a chance ahead of the start of the second round of World Cup Qualifiers. The expectation was that Japan would top Group B, while Syria ranked 89th in the world would follow them into the final round. However, the Chollima had different plans.
North Korea, currently ranked 118th in FIFA’s rankings, finished second after securing nine points. They won both of their contests with Myanmar and recorded an important win over Syria to reach the tally. Whereas, the Syrian national team were unable to defeat Myanmar in one of their two clashes and finished with seven points (two wins, one draw and three losses) in third place in Group B of the World Cup Qualifiers.
Kuwait are the lowest-ranked team in the FIFA rankings for men’s national teams amongst all the participants in the final round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Ranked 139th in the world, the outfit were in a lot of trouble at one point after losing to India in their first Group A contest.
However, the side emerged as consistent performers in the final few key fixtures and secured their qualification into the final round by holding the Blue Tigers to a draw in the reverse fixture as well as securing two wins out of two against Afghanistan.
Palestine as a country are witnessing the toughest period in their history due to the ongoing conflict with Israel in Gaza. That played a huge factor on the mentality of their football team, who were concerned for the safety of their loved ones and fellow countrymen back home.
However, that worry and stress did not stop the men’s football team from giving their 100% every time they took to the field in the World Cup Qualifiers, knowing they were privileged to do so.
Palestine were in Group I along with Australia, Lebanon and Bangladesh. With the Aussies being favoiurites and Bangladesh the weakest opposition on-paper, there was direct competition for the second qualifying spot between Palestine and Lebanon.
With both teams playing draws against one another, the Lebanese team drawing with Bangladesh cost them dearly. Meanwhile, the Lions of Canaan won both matches against Bangladesh and finished second with eight points.
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