For the first time, the 2026 World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams, and with that, the number of Asian teams has been increased to give more teams a chance to qualify.
This article will give you a complete explanation 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifying TournamentWhether you're concerned about the rankings or want to know when the key matches will be broadcast, this is the place for you to stay up-to-date with the rules, divisions, and full schedule and broadcast information!
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- FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) May 18, 2023
2026 World Cup Asian Qualification System
The World Cup 2026 Asian Qualification Tournament is divided into four rounds, each with a different team and format, to select the strongest teams in Asia to advance to the World Cup:
First round
- Race date: October 2023
- Participating Teams: Asia RegionThe 22 lower-ranked teamsThe
- System: AdoptionHome and Away Knockout GamesAfter two rounds, the winning team was11 teams advanced to the second roundThe
- Special Note: Top 25 ranked teamsNot participating in the first roundThe first round of the tournament is the second round of the tournament, and the second round of the tournament is the second round of the tournament.
Second round
- Date of Competition: November 2023 to June 2024
- Participating teams:36 teamsThe following two sections are included:
- 25 Higher Ranked Teams in Asia(advances directly to second round)
- 11 First Round Winning Teams
- Format: 36 teams divided into 9 groupsIn addition, each group of four teams will useHome and Away Double CycleThe
- Advancement rules: Each groupTop 2 (18 teams)Advance to the third round.
Third round
- Date of Competition: September 2024 to June 2025
- Participating teams:18 teams(from the top two of the nine groups in the second round).
- Format: 18 teams split 3 groupsThe teams will be divided into 6 teams each for the purpose ofHome and Away Double Cycle.
- Advancement rules: Each groupTop 2 (6 teams)Direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Fourth round
- Race date: October 2025
- Participating teams:3 teams(from each group in the third round)3rd place).
- Competition system: These 3 teams will play a play-off to determine the finalists. 1 WinnerThe
- Advancement Rules: AdditionalWinnerGetting InvolvedCross-Continental Extra RaceThe team will qualify for the final World Cup berth.
This arrangement gives more teams in Asia the chance to qualify for the World Cup and ensures that every team that advances is competitive enough to qualify.
2026 World Cup Asian Qualifying Groups
- Group A: Qatar, Kuwait, India, Afghanistan
- Group B: Japan, North Korea, Syria, Myanmar
- Group C: South Korea, Thailand, China, Singapore
- Group D: Malaysia, Oman, Kyrgyzstan, Chinese Taipei
- Group E: Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Hong Kong
- Group FIraq, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia.
- Group G: Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Jordan, Pakistan.
- Group HAllianz、Bahrain、Yemen、Nepal
- Group IAustralia, Lebanon, Palestine, Bangladesh
The result of this grouping is a very competitive one, with both strong teams and dark horses, and all Asian teams will be competing fiercely to qualify for the next round.
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification Schedule
Dates have been finalized for the global qualifying tournaments for the 2026 World Cup, with different schedules for each region from Asia to Europe, Africa, South America and North America.
Each continent's tournament will be played over a different period of time, with knockout, group or double round robin matches depending on each region's tournament system, to determine who will step up to the World Cup stage.
FIFA World Cup QualifiersRace: Global Districts
| Qualifying Regions | Start Time | End Time | Race Descriptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | October 12, 2023 | November 18, 2025 | Four rounds, with promotion teams confirmed after the third round |
| Europe | March 21, 2025 | March 31, 2026 | Small Groups and Additional Matches |
| Africa Region | November 15, 2023 | November 2025 | Small Groups & Knockout Matches |
| South America | September 7, 2023 | September 2025 | Double Cycle System |
| North America and the Caribbean | March 22, 2023 | November 2025 | Staged Competition |
FIFA World Cup QualifiersRacingAsia
2026 World Cup Asian Qualifying TournamentDetailed fixture dates for rounds one to four:
| round | dates | Content |
|---|---|---|
| First round | 2023/10/12 | First Round Match |
| 2023/10/17 | Second Round Match | |
| Second round | 2023/11/16 | Small Group Round 1 |
| 2023/11/21 | Small Group Round 2 | |
| 2024/03/21 | Small Group Round 3 | |
| 2024/03/26 | Small Group Round 4 | |
| 2024/06/06 | Small Group Round 5 | |
| 2024/06/11 | Small Group Round 6 | |
| Third round | 2024/09/05 | Round 3 Group Stage 1 |
| 2024/09/10 | Round 3 Group Stage 2 | |
| 2024/10/10 | Round 3 Group Stage 3 | |
| 2024/10/15 | Round 3 Group Stage 4 | |
| 2024/11/14 | Round 3, Group 5 | |
| 2024/11/19 | Round 3 Group Stage 6 | |
| 2025/03/20 | Round 3, Group Stage 7 | |
| 2025/03/25 | Round 3, Group 8 | |
| 2025/06/05 | Round 3, Group 9 | |
| 2025/06/10 | Round 3, Group 10 | |
| Fourth round | 2025/10 (to be determined) | Group 3 Play-off Round 1 |
| 2025/10 (to be determined) | Group 3 Play-off Round 2 | |
| Cross-Continental Extra Race | 2025/11 (to be determined) | The Asian representatives will face off against other continental teams for the final qualifying spot. |
Please note that the fourth round and cross-continental play-offs of theSpecific dates may be adjusted according to the Organizer's arrangementIt is recommended to stay tuned to the official announcement for information. It is recommended to stay tuned to the official announcement for the latest information!
World Cup 2026 Qualification Live Streaming and Broadcast Information
Currently, a number of sports platforms have been put in place to broadcast the qualifying matches, providing fans with the opportunity to watch the matches in real time. Major broadcasting and live streaming channels include:
- Watch World Cup live online: ELTA TV, Hami Video, LineToday,Fuyu LiveRegister and login → Go to the menu and click "Fortune Tour Live Streaming" → World Cup 2026 Zone].
- World Cup 2026 broadcast: ESPN, Elda Sports, Wistar Sports, Chunghwa Telecom MOD 200 Channel
How to buy World Cup soccer lottery?
Want to make watching the World Cup more exciting and engaging? Betting on the World Cup is the best choice for you! Not only does it make watching the matches more exciting, but it's also super easy to place bets at home with just a few fingers. Here is a list of the two most common betting methods:
Physical Purchase: Taiwan Lucky Draw
- Find a Taiwan Lottery ticket vendor near you: This is the most traditional way to buy (with lower payouts in Taiwan Lottery), just go to a Taiwan Lottery store near your home or business.
- Pick a race: Find the World Cup 2026 event you want to bet on in the betting slip or on the screen at the bookmaker.
- Choose to play: The World Cup Lottery offers a variety of ways to play, such as single game win/loss, handicap, over/under, etc. Choose the one that suits you according to your judgment.
- Amount of bets placed: Decide how much you want to bet and tell the clerk.
- Confirm and bet: After carefully checking the contents of the bet, hand the betting slip to the shopkeeper to complete the betting process.
Buy Online: Online Casino Lottery
- Choose a lottery platform: There are many lottery platforms in Taiwan, you can choose the one you are familiar with to register.
- Complete the registration: Follow the instructions on the platform to fill in your personal information and complete your registration.
- Select a tournament: Once logged in, find the World Cup 2026 tournament page on the platform.
- Choose to play: As with physical betting, choose your preferred method of play (Casino Lottery pays higher odds than Taiwan Lottery and has a wider variety of play styles).
- Amount of bets placed: Enter the amount to be bet.
- Confirm and bet: Check your bets carefully and click on "Bet" to make sure they are correct.
FAQ about 2026 World Cup
Q1：Does the extended soccer match count?
The number of goals scored in a match is limited to the number of goals scored in regulation time, including the first and second halves and injury time added by the referee. Extended matches and penalty shoot-outs are not included in the calculation.
Q2: Where is the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. The final match will be held on July 19, 2026 in the United States.
Q3: How long does a World Cup soccer match last?
World Cup matches are divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, adding up to a total of 90 minutes. In the event of a tie in regulation time, there may be an extended match (usually 30 minutes) or a penalty shootout, depending on the rules.
Q4：How many years is the World Cup soccer organized?
The World Cup soccer tournament is held every four years and is organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Since it was first held in Uruguay in 1930, the tournament has become one of the most popular soccer events in the world.
Q5：How to buy tickets for World Cup 2026?
Tickets for the 2026 World Cup are not yet officially on sale. The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has launched the ticketing process and invites fans to register on the official FIFA website (FIFA.com) to receive the latest ticketing notifications.
Fans who want to get an early advantage on tickets have the option of paying a $500 refundable deposit for priority access to the Premium Seating Package, which is a great option for fans who want to get a head start on securing their ideal seats.
General tickets are expected to go on sale in 2025 and may be allocated through a ballot. Early registration is recommended to increase the chance of winning.
⚠️ Note: Please make sure to purchase tickets only through the official FIFA platform to avoid purchasing fake tickets from unofficial channels and to ensure that your rights are not affected.
Q6：Does Taiwan participate in the 2026 World Cup?
Chinese Taipei competed in the 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifying Tournament and faced East Timor in the first round of the tournament, winning by a score of 7-0 to advance to the second round.
In the second round, Chinese Taipei was placed in Group D with Oman, Kyrgyzstan and Malaysia.
Against these solid opponents, Chinese Taipei played a total of six group matches, but failed to win, and ultimately did not qualify for the third round of the tournament, making it certain that they would not advance to the final round of the 2026 World Cup.
