What's happened
The AFC's final round of qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup begins with matches involving Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and others. The process is marked by hosting disputes, scheduling concerns, and teams' ambitions to qualify for the first 48-team tournament in North America.
What's behind the headline?
The AFC's decision to assign host venues for the final qualifiers has sparked significant controversy, with accusations of bias and unfair scheduling. Qatar and Saudi Arabia, both given home advantage, face criticism for the short rest periods and potential influence on outcomes. Queiroz's Oman faces an uphill battle, with logistical disadvantages and a lack of home support, while the broader context reveals ongoing tensions over transparency and fairness in Asian football's qualification process. These issues could impact the legitimacy of the tournament qualification and reflect deeper governance concerns within AFC.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera highlights the competitive and political tensions surrounding the qualifiers, emphasizing Indonesia's historic attempt to reach the World Cup and the challenges posed by host venue decisions. The South China Morning Post discusses the broader regional implications, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia's advantages and the controversy over scheduling and venue choices, quoting Queiroz's criticism of the process. The Guardian provides an in-depth look at the logistical and political disputes, including the reactions of coaches and teams, and questions the fairness of AFC's decisions, citing the lack of transparency and the impact on teams like Oman and Iraq. These contrasting perspectives underscore the complex interplay of sport, politics, and regional interests shaping the qualifiers.
How we got here
The AFC qualifiers determine the final teams for the 2026 World Cup, hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico. The third round concluded in June, with six teams qualifying. The final group stage runs from October 8 to 14, with some matches hosted in controversial venues, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, amid accusations of unfair advantages and scheduling irregularities. Teams like Oman, Qatar, and UAE are fighting for the last spots, with coaching legends like Queiroz and Cannavaro involved in the campaign.
Go deeper
Common question
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What Are the Key Controversies in the Asian World Cup Qualifiers 2026?
The Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup are underway, but not without controversy. From disputes over host venues to political tensions and scheduling issues, many questions are emerging about fairness and transparency. In this page, we explore the main controversies, the teams involved, and what these disputes mean for international soccer fans and followers of the tournament.
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Carlos Manuel Brito Leal de Queiroz, ComIH, is a Portuguese football coach who is currently the manager of the Egypt national team.
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Graham James Arnold is an Australian association football manager and former player. Arnold was appointed to work as an assistant coach of the Australian national football team in 2000.
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Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.