A record nine Asian (AFC) teams have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Four of these nine — Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq — are also Arab nations. For the full Arab line-up, see our guide to the Arab countries at the 2026 World Cup.
The 9 Asian nations and their groups
No two Asian teams share a group, so there will be no all-Asian clash in the group stage.
According to FIFA’s confirmed line-up, the nine AFC teams are drawn as follows:
| Asian team | Group | Other teams in the group |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | Group A | Mexico, South Africa, Czechia |
| Qatar | Group B | Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland |
| Australia | Group D | United States, Paraguay, Türkiye |
| Japan | Group F | Netherlands, Sweden, Tunisia |
| Iran | Group G | Belgium, Egypt, New Zealand |
| Saudi Arabia | Group H | Spain, Cape Verde, Uruguay |
| Iraq | Group I | France, Senegal, Norway |
| Jordan | Group J | Argentina, Algeria, Austria |
| Uzbekistan | Group K | Portugal, DR Congo, Colombia |
There are two Asia-versus-Arab fixtures to watch: Tunisia plays Japan in Group F, and Egypt plays Iran in Group G.
The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed sides, advance to the new round of 32.
Full fixture list for every Asian team
Every Asian team plays its three group matches between 11 and 27 June. All dates and host cities below come from the official tournament schedule.
| Team | Group match | Date & host city |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | South Korea vs Czechia | 11 Jun — Guadalajara |
| South Korea | Mexico vs South Korea | 18 Jun — Guadalajara |
| South Korea | South Africa vs South Korea | 24 Jun — Monterrey |
| Qatar | Qatar vs Switzerland | 13 Jun — San Francisco |
| Qatar | Canada vs Qatar | 18 Jun — Vancouver |
| Qatar | Bosnia vs Qatar | 24 Jun — Seattle |
| Australia | Australia vs Türkiye | 13 Jun — Vancouver |
| Australia | USA vs Australia | 19 Jun — Seattle |
| Australia | Paraguay vs Australia | 25 Jun — San Francisco |
| Japan | Netherlands vs Japan | 14 Jun — Dallas |
| Japan | Tunisia vs Japan | 20 Jun — Monterrey |
| Japan | Japan vs Sweden | 25 Jun — Dallas |
| Iran | Iran vs New Zealand | 15 Jun — Los Angeles |
| Iran | Belgium vs Iran | 21 Jun — Los Angeles |
| Iran | Egypt vs Iran | 26 Jun — Seattle |
| Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | 15 Jun — Miami |
| Saudi Arabia | Spain vs Saudi Arabia | 21 Jun — Atlanta |
| Saudi Arabia | Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia | 26 Jun — Houston |
| Iraq | Iraq vs Norway | 16 Jun — Boston |
| Iraq | France vs Iraq | 22 Jun — Philadelphia |
| Iraq | Senegal vs Iraq | 26 Jun — Toronto |
| Jordan | Austria vs Jordan | 16 Jun — San Francisco |
| Jordan | Jordan vs Algeria | 22 Jun — San Francisco |
| Jordan | Jordan vs Argentina | 27 Jun — Dallas |
| Uzbekistan | Uzbekistan vs Colombia | 17 Jun — Mexico City |
| Uzbekistan | Portugal vs Uzbekistan | 23 Jun — Houston |
| Uzbekistan | DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | 27 Jun — Atlanta |
Find full World Cup schedules in our guide:
FIFA World Cup 2026 Time Table & Schedule: Kick-Off Times (Downloadable PDF)
The history-makers among them
Three of the nine arrive with landmark stories, and together they make this the biggest Asian turnout the World Cup has ever seen.
Uzbekistan reached the World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history. They open against Colombia on 17 June in Mexico City.
Jordan also qualified for the first time ever. The Nashama begin against Austria on 16 June in San Francisco.
Iraq ended a 40-year absence by beating Bolivia in the intercontinental play-off to claim the final place. It is their first World Cup since 1986.
The other six are familiar faces. Japan, South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Qatar are all returning World Cup regulars.
Planning your trip across the host cities
Asian teams are playing in cities spread across all three host countries, so map your travel around your team’s specific venues before booking.
Saudi Arabia, for example, hops between Miami, Atlanta and Houston, while Australia stays on the West Coast and in Western Canada.
Carriers such as Qatar Airways, Qantas and Korean Air run direct or one-stop services into the North American host cities.
Book accommodation early, as host cities fill up fast on match days. Compare hotels in Los Angeles and other venues, and use the Wego flight tracker to monitor your flights.
For a fuller breakdown of routes, visas and city-hopping, read our complete World Cup 2026 travel plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Asian teams qualified for the 2026 World Cup?
Nine AFC teams qualified: Australia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Uzbekistan. It is a record, up from six at Qatar 2022.
Which Asian teams are making their World Cup debut?
Jordan and Uzbekistan both qualified for the first time ever. Iraq returned after a 40-year absence, their first appearance since 1986.
Will any two Asian teams play each other in the group stage?
No. All nine Asian teams are in different groups, so there is no all-Asian group match. The closest cross-region ties are Tunisia vs Japan and Egypt vs Iran.
Are the Arab teams counted as Asian?
Yes. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq all compete under the AFC, so they are both Asian and Arab. See our Arab countries at the 2026 World Cup guide for that line-up.
Is Australia an Asian team at the World Cup?
Yes. Australia has competed in the Asian Football Confederation since 2006 and qualified through the AFC route. They are in Group D with the US, Paraguay and Türkiye.
Sources
- FIFA — Qualified Teams for the 2026 World Cup
- FIFA — AFC Qualifying Overview
- FIFA — World Cup 2026 Line-up Complete as Iraq Claim Final Spot
- FIFA — Official Match Schedule, Fixtures and Venues
- Al Jazeera — World Cup 2026 Full Match Schedule, Groups and Start Times
- Al Jazeera — Ranking the MENA Teams at World Cup 2026
- US Department of State — FIFA World Cup 26 Visas
- US Department of State — FIFA World Cup 26 Visas (PASS FAQ)
- Government of Canada — Information for Fans and Travellers
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
