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Agence France-Presse

Reuters

China have been handed a massively difficult task of qualifying for their second World Cup finals appearance after being drawn against heavyweights Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia in the third round of Asia’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Not surprisingly, the hashtag “National football, group of death” shot to the top of Weibo’s trending list after the draw, attracting more than 10 million views.
Many users of the social media site did not fancy China’s chances of progressing from the pool, which also includes Bahrain and Indonesia.
“Actually, whatever group China are in, it will always be the group of death,” one popular comment said.
Another user said: “Well, just wish China doesn’t concede too many, and strives for honour in defeat.”
Yet another pessimistic comment read: “Prepare for [World Cup] 2030.”

The draw has left the Chinese facing a daunting challenge to secure a place at their first World Cup since making their debut – and so far only – appearance in 2002.
“It’s a tough draw for us,” said China coach Branko Ivankovic.
“It’s the toughest group compared to the A and B groups but this is something we expected because we were in the fifth pot and we know that we cannot find a weak team.”
The 18 remaining Asian teams battling it out for eight direct qualification places were drawn into three third-round groups of six at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.
Son Heung-min’s South Korea were given a more straightforward-looking assignment than their biggest Asian rivals when they were drawn in Group B to face Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine and Kuwait.
The Koreans will be favourites to advance but take on a Jordan side that defeated them in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup earlier this year.
A resurgent Iraq, meanwhile, are attempting to qualify for a first World Cup since 1986.

World Cup regulars Iran head Group A, and will play Asian Cup champions Qatar, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Kyrgyzstan and North Korea.
The Iranians will be aiming to progress to a fourth World Cup in a row – and seventh in total – after appearing in 2014, 2018 and 2022, and take on a Qatar side attempting to qualify for the tournament for the first time.
The Qataris, who won a second consecutive Asian Cup title in February, played at the 2022 edition as hosts but have never progressed to the finals through the preliminaries.
Four-times Asian champions Japan, who have qualified for the past seven World Cup tournaments, will face familiar foes in Saudi Arabia and Australia, both of whom were also in the final phase of qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup.
Hajime Moriyasu’s side topped the group and were joined in securing an automatic berth at the most recent tournament by the Saudis while Australia eventually qualified via an intercontinental playoff.

Matches will be played on a home-and-away basis from September 2024 to June 2025, with the top two in each of the three groups qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup.
Teams finishing third and fourth will advance to the fourth round where they will be split into two groups of three with group winners both claiming a direct qualifying spot.
The two second-placed teams will then face each other in November 2025, with the winner progressing to the Fifa intercontinental play-off tournament to decide the final berth.
The expanded 48-team World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
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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Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup 2026: China drawn with Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia for next qualifying round

Former internationals Shinji Okazaki of Japan (second from left) and  Mehdi Mahdavikia of Iran (right) help conduct the draw in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Mahdavikia selects Indonesia to join Group C with Australia, Bahrain, China, Japan and Saudi Arabia. Photo: AFP

China coach Branko Ivankovic (centre) said the tough group was “something we expected”. Photo: AFP

Okazaki holds up South Korea’s name to join Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman and Palestine in Group B. Photo: AFP

Singapore keeper Hassan Sunny asks China football fans to stop sending him ‘heroics’ cash

A Chinese football fan in front of Singaporean goalkeeper Hassan Sunny’s food stall in Singapore on Friday. Photo: AP

Chinese customers helped Hassan’s modest food stall run out of food on Thursday. Photo: AP

Aidah Rahim, Hassan’s wife, holds a box of “nasi lemak”, a popular rice dish that is their stall’s speciality. Photo: AP

World Cup qualifiers: Palestine create history by reaching third round for first time

Palestine needed only a point to progress, and got it with a goalless draw against Lebanon. Photo: Reuters

Son Heung-min scored twice as South Korea trounced Singapore 7-0. Photo: AP

India legend Sunil Chhetri tearfully waves to his fans after his final appearance for his country. Photo: AFP

How China can reach 2026 Fifa World Cup, according to football commentator Zhan Jun

China players thank spectators after their narrow defeat by South Korea in Seoul last week. Photo: Xinhua

China have seen the merits of playing defensively to repel the likes of South Korea’s Son Heung-min. Photo: Xinhua

Indian FA accuses sacked Igor Stimac of using astrologer to pick players

India’s FA has suggested former manager Igor Stimac used an astrologer to help with team selections. Photo: AFP

Glenn Hoddle was sacked as England boss in 1999 after comments he made about disabled people. Photo: AFP

Sport

Football

The 18 remaining Asian teams fighting for eight direct qualification spots at 2026 tournament are drawn in three third-round groups of six


The 18 remaining Asian teams fighting for eight direct qualification spots at 2026 tournament are drawn in three third-round groups of six.


Uzbekistan

Kyrgyzstan

Fifa World Cup