The 4th qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia includes 6 teams: Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Oman and Iraq. Previously, there were 4 countries applying to host this stage of the World Cup qualifying round, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia and Iraq.
In the end, the AFC decided to award the hosting rights to two countries, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, each country will host one group of the fourth qualifying round.
Indonesia (in white) was not awarded the right to host the 4th qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia (Photo: AFC).
Each group of the 4th qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia has 3 teams. The teams compete in a round-robin format, with the top team in each group qualifying for the World Cup finals next year.
The bottom team in each group will be eliminated. The runners-up in each group in the fourth qualifying round will advance to the fifth qualifying round in Asia. The fifth qualifying round will be a continental play-off match, with a home and away format.
The winners of the fifth qualifying round will advance to an intercontinental play-off round, with one team from South America, one from Africa, one from Oceania and two from the North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) region.
Saudi Arabia will host one of the two groups in the fourth qualifying round (Photo: AFC).
The six teams that will take part in the intercontinental play-offs will be ranked in order of their FIFA rankings. The four lowest-ranked teams will be drawn into a knockout tie.
The winners of these knockout ties will face the two highest-ranked teams from the six intercontinental play-offs. The winners of these ties will qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
After failing to secure the right to host the fourth qualifying round, Indonesia is at a disadvantage. They will find it difficult to gain an advantage over either of the two hosts of the fourth qualifying round in Asia, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
If Indonesia fail to top their group in the fourth qualifying round, they will be in for a very complicated journey. They may have to continue playing against higher-ranked representatives from South America, Africa or CONCACAF.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/doi-tuyen-indonesia-nhan-tin-khong-vui-o-vong-loai-thu-4-world-cup-2026-20250613225009219.htm
Comment (0)