Saudi Arabia and Qatar to Host High-Stakes Play-Offs for 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially selected Saudi Arabia and Qatar as the hosts for the fourth-round play-offs of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. This decisive stage will take place from October 8 to 14, 2025, featuring six national teams battling for the last two Asian spots in the tournament set to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The play-offs will use a centralized format, with the six participating teams divided into two groups of three. Each group will compete in a round-robin format, with the winners of each group earning direct qualification to the World Cup. This stage includes teams that finished third and fourth in the previous qualification round, namely Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
This marks a historic moment for Indonesia, as it is the first time the national team has advanced to the fourth round of World Cup qualification. Their progress reflects the team’s significant growth in recent years, with better preparation, stronger squad depth, and increased international experience. Expectations are high as they aim to secure a first-ever spot in the World Cup.
For regional football, the tournament will serve as a showcase of rising talent and competitiveness among Asian nations. The selection of Qatar and Saudi Arabia as hosts also highlights their growing influence in international football, offering world-class facilities and organizational capabilities. With two coveted World Cup berths at stake, the October play-offs promise to deliver intense and high-quality football.a
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