Japan, Australia, and Saudi Arabia Drawn Together in Challenging World Cup Qualifying Group

The Asian powerhouses will compete in Group C, facing tough competition from China, Bahrain, and Indonesia.

The third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup includes 18 teams divided into three groups of six.
Group C, labeled the 'group of death,' features Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, Bahrain, and Indonesia.
Top two teams from each group will qualify directly for the World Cup, with third and fourth place advancing to the fourth round.
Group A includes Iran, Qatar, Uzbekistan, UAE, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea, while Group B has South Korea, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, and Kuwait.
Matches will be played on a home-and-away basis from September 2024 to June 2025.