WASHINGTON (Kashmir English): After Japan’s elimination at the hands of Brazil, all Asian teams are now out of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Australia, from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), however, are still in the global competition but they are not an Asian nation.
Asia sent its largest-ever contingent to the global event— nine teams. Now, only one remains, and they even don’t belong to the continent.
The Asian teams’ performance remained damning. Iraq conceded 12 goals, scoring just once.
Uzbekistan conceded 11, scoring twice. Qatar conceded 10, scoring twice. Jordan conceded eight, scoring three. Saudi Arabia conceded five, scored one. South Korea scored two and conceded three. Iran, the only team among the seven to avoid defeat, conceded three and scored three.
Together, the seven eliminated Asian teams won just one match, drew six and lost 14. Collectively, they scored 14 goals and conceded 52.
Four teams finished with one point or less. Three teams finished with zero. Qatar, the two-time defending Asian champions, managed just one point from a draw with Switzerland. Uzbekistan, Jordan and Iraq finished with nothing.
The expanded format was supposed to be a best chance for Asian nations to prove their skills, instead, it exposed a continent that has not progressed as quickly as its quota suggests.
The first round of FIFA World Cup matches offered something different than the preceding fixtures. In the first round, South Korea beat the Czech Republic; Japan drew with the Netherlands; Saudi Arabia drew with Uruguay; Iran drew with Belgium and Egypt. The later games, however, proved a debacle.
As the tournament settled into its rhythm and the big teams found their form, the Asian sides, one by one, were picked off.
Saudi Arabia that had beaten Argentina in 2022, could not replicate that magic and finished with just two points.
Iran and FIFA World Cup 2026
Iran, undefeated with three draws, missed out on goal difference in the cruellest fashion.
They were eliminated after the final match of the group stage when Austria levelled against Algeria with the last kick of the match.
Until Asia can produce a team that can compete beyond the group stage, the story would remain the same. Nine teams, one survivor and disproportionate exits.
