
After an intriguing seven-month period, the second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded in June, paving the way for the third and final round. With the World Cup expanding to 48 teams, Asia will now have a minimum of eight representatives at the tournament in two years' time. The increase in competing nations has led to a change in the Asian qualifiers, with 18 teams set to battle it out in the third round.