June 13, 2025 – Kuala Lumpur — The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that Saudi Arabia and Qatar will co-host the demanding fourth round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This decisive stage, set for October 8–14, will feature six nations vying for the remaining direct spots in North America’s expanded 48-team finals .
The Final Six
The teams advancing from the third round are:
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- Iraq
- Oman
- Indonesia
- United Arab Emirates
These nations finished third or fourth in their respective third-round groups and now compete for Asia’s final berths.
Hosts & Tournament Format
- Hosts: Saudi Arabia and Qatar will each host one group of three teams.
- Draw Date: July 17, 2025, in Osaka, Japan.
- Matchdays: Three matchdays are scheduled: Oct 8, Oct 11, and Oct 14.
Each group winner will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup. Runners-up from both groups will compete in a playoff in November, with the victor advancing to an intercontinental playoff in March 2026 for one of two remaining World Cup places.
Asia’s Expanded World Cup Path
With the World Cup field expanding from 32 to 48 teams, Asia now benefits from:
- Six automatic qualification slots (Japan, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan)
- Up to two additional chances via the playoff and intercontinental paths.
This system ensures that even teams placing third or fourth in the third round—such as Oman, Iraq, Indonesia and the UAE—retain a pathway to qualification.
Context: How We Got Here
- The third round, completed in early June, saw the creation of three six-team groups. Top two finishers in each earned direct qualification.
- Those finishing third and fourth progressed into this fourth round.
- As of now, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have accepted hosting duties, outpacing a rival bid from Iraq.
Implications for Teams
- Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the hosts, gain the advantage of familiar venues and local support.
- Iraq, under new coach Graham Arnold, seeks consistency after qualifying and will compete with home-away exposure.
- Oman, Indonesia, UAE and Iraq see this stage as a critical opportunity to punch their ticket to North America.
What’s Next
- July 17: Final draw to decide group compositions.
- October 8–14: Three-game mini-tournaments in each host country.
- November: Runners-up playoff.
- March 2026: Intercontinental playoff for last two World Cup slots.
Why It Matters
- Establishes a clear path for mid-tier Asian nations to reach the expanded World Cup.
- Promotes regional hosting capacity and prestige for Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
- Adds drama: only two group winners qualify directly, while others face a grueling playoff series aiming for the global stage.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar will host the fourth round of AFC World Cup qualifiers this October, featuring Saudi, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, Indonesia, and UAE. Two group winners qualify directly; runners-up contest playoff matches for a shot at the last World Cup berths.
