The FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Games 2024 are set to kick off in October 2023, with 46 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) member associations vying for a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The qualifiers will be divided into three rounds, with the top teams from each round advancing to the next.
In the first round, the 12 lowest-ranked teams in the FIFA World Rankings will be drawn into two groups of six, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the second round. The second round will feature 34 teams divided into eight groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the third round. The third and final round will see the 16 remaining teams drawn into two groups of eight, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the World Cup.
The Asian Qualifiers have always been fiercely contested, with several powerhouse teams vying for a limited number of spots. In the previous edition of the qualifiers, Japan, South Korea, Iran, and Australia secured automatic qualification for the World Cup, while Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates advanced to the inter-confederation play-offs. This time around, the competition is expected to be even tougher, with several emerging teams looking to make a mark on the international stage.
One of the teams to watch will be Qatar, who will be hosting the World Cup in 2022. The Qataris have invested heavily in their football development program in recent years, and they will be hoping to use the home advantage to secure a spot in the tournament. Other teams that could make a surprise run in the qualifiers include China, which has been investing heavily in its football infrastructure, and Vietnam, which has emerged as a regional powerhouse in recent years.
The FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Games 2024 promise to be an exciting and unpredictable affair, with several teams vying for a spot in the world’s biggest football tournament. The qualifiers will also provide a glimpse into the future of Asian football, with several emerging teams looking to make their mark on the international stage.
