At the 2026 World Cup, Asia will have nine participating teams: Australia, Iran , Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Uzbekistan.
In particular, the first-ever appearances of Jordan and Uzbekistan at a World Cup marked a new milestone in the scale of participation in continental football.
Japan and Australia were the leading contenders, making a strong impression by finishing second in Group F and Group D respectively.
The prowess of these two teams was clearly demonstrated by their direct qualification to the knockout round, without relying on the ranking system for third-placed teams.
In particular, Japan proved its strength by competing on equal footing with the "giants" of world football, such as in the impressive draw against the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, the journeys of the remaining representatives, though not complete, have also left many valuable lessons. Despite having to say goodbye early, teams like South Korea, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and newcomers like Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Iraq have given their all.
The matches at the 2026 World Cup are not only a test of skill but also an opportunity for Asian teams to gain experience and close the gap with the world's top level of football.
With seven teams eliminated, Asian football faces challenges that need to be addressed to improve its competitiveness in the future. Nevertheless, the performances of Japan and Australia remain a great source of inspiration.
In the upcoming Round of 32, Japan will face Brazil at 00:00 on June 30th, while Australia will take on Egypt at 01:00 on July 4th to compete for a spot in the Round of 16.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/niem-tu-hao-cua-bong-da-chau-a-241150.html
