A record total of nine Asian (AFC) teams qualified for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup. Eight teams secured direct berths, with Iraq claiming the final spot via the inter-confederation playoffs. The nine nations were Australia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Uzbekistan.
Of these 8 nations, only Australia and Japan could make it beyond the Group Stage, making it a disappointing World Cup for Asia.
South Korea, the 2002 semi-finalists, had reached the Round of 16 in 2022, but failed at the group stage this time. The Koreans began with a victory against Czechia, but lost to Mexico, and though they needed just a draw against South Africa, they went down to the Bafana Bafana and were pushed out. Manager Hong Myung-bo resigned immediately as an investigation was ordered into the performance of the team.
Iran remained unbeaten in the tournament but could not progress further. With three draws Iran had to take the flight back home in a painful exit.
Debutants, Uzbekistan and Jordan had a good initiation. They participated well, but as expected, could not make further inroads, losing all their matches in the Group Stage. Iraq, which had a gruelling qualifying campaign, also could not muster any points, losing all three games it played.
I expected Saudi Arabia to impress, but they too could manage only two draws and a loss, going winless in the group. The result of this was an early exit. With so much hype around the Saudi Pro League, the Saudis were expected to at least make the Round of 32. Qatar, too, could not build on the draw against Switzerland, losing their last two games to exit the tournament.
Australia beat Turkiye in their first game to stun the Turks and managed to get to the Rd of 32, going down to Egypt on penalties. It was the best performance from the Socceroos and thoroughly deserved their place in the sun.
Japan almost knocked over Brazil in the Rd of 32. The Samurai had a one-goal lead when Sano scored in the 29th minute. But a rampant Brazil secured victory as an ultra-defensive Japan could not hold on for long.
Taking a holistic view, there was not much joy for the Asian contingent at the World Cup. The Europeans and the Africans prevailed over them big time, and in crunch situations, they were found wanting. More than skill, it was the temperament that badly affected the Asian teams.
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