World Cup 2026 qualifying in Asia is underway, giving lower-ranked nations like Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Pakistan an opportunity to make their mark and compete against some of the continent’s top football powers. (More Football News | Sports News). The Asian Football Confederation’s 20 lowest-ranked sides are facing off in two-legged home-and-away matches this Thursday and next Tuesday, with the 10 victors progressing to the second round of the qualification group stage. Afghanistan, currently ranked 158th, is matched up against No. 183 Mongolia. Advancing to the next round—where each team will play six games—offers not only financial rewards but also crucial experience. “It’s very important for us to move past Mongolia and reach the second round, where we’ll face India, Kuwait, and Qatar,” Afghanistan coach Abdullah Al-Mutairi told The Associated Press. “We need as many matches as possible, and though these are strong teams, we have the talent to prove ourselves.” With limited domestic football infrastructure, Al-Mutairi has looked to Afghanistan’s global diaspora, bringing in players from Europe, Asia, and Australia to strengthen the national squad.

FIFA World Cup 2026 is poised to be a tournament unlike any other in the event’s long history. Not only will it be the largest edition ever, featuring an impressive 48 national teams, but it will also mark the first time the competition is jointly hosted by three nations — Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, the World Cup will expand from 64 to 104 matches. The event will include a record 12 groups, and a brand-new Round of 32 stage will be added to the knockout rounds. This will be the first major format overhaul since 1998, when the 32-team structure was introduced. With this revamped setup, the qualification process has also been restructured, granting more nations the chance to compete. CONCACAF has been allocated three direct slots, excluding the host countries’ spots. AFC will see eight teams qualify automatically, while CONMEBOL will also send eight. CAF (Africa) will gain nine direct berths, the second-highest after UEFA, which will have 16 teams—12 qualifying directly, with the rest advancing through playoffs. The inter-confederation playoffs will include six teams—one from each confederation, plus two from CONCACAF, with Europe not participating in this stage.

2026 World Cup soccer will bring a major transformation with its expansion to 48 teams, introducing a brand-new tournament format. This updated structure is expected to reshape the dynamics of the competition. The opening stage will consist of 16 groups with three teams in each, where the top two from every group will move on to the knockout rounds. This setup not only boosts the total number of matches but also raises the level of excitement right from the beginning. Fans can look forward to high-stakes battles as nations compete fiercely to secure their spot in the next stage. Additionally, this revised format opens the door for more underdog teams to make their mark on the global stage. It will be thrilling to watch countries that were once overshadowed by football giants step into the spotlight and prove their strength. The increased potential for upsets and surprise victories adds even more suspense, ensuring that every game becomes unmissable. As you cheer for your favorite teams, you may also find yourself rooting for new rising stars from emerging nations that seize their moment to shine.

World Cup 2026 tickets will grant fans access to a tournament that’s undergoing a major transformation with the expansion to 48 teams. The new structure is set to bring exciting changes to how the competition unfolds. In the opening stage, there will be 16 groups of three teams each, with the top two advancing to the knockout rounds. This setup not only boosts the total number of matches but also raises the stakes from the very beginning. Fans can look forward to intense showdowns as nations battle for a spot in the next phase.

Additionally, the revised format opens the door for more underdog stories, giving smaller footballing nations a greater chance to shine on the global stage. It’s thrilling to imagine emerging teams challenging traditional soccer giants and creating unforgettable moments. With this change, every match becomes even more unpredictable and captivating. As you secure your World Cup 2026 tickets, you might find yourself cheering not only for your longtime favorites but also for new, inspiring teams that rise to fame during the tournament.

FIFA World Cup 2026 teams will compete in an expanded tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The event will begin with 12 groups of four teams, replacing the earlier plan of 16 groups of three. This edition will feature 48 teams in total, up from the 32 that took part in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. According to FIFA, the updated format reduces the risk of collusion and guarantees that every team plays at least three matches, with fair rest periods between games. Overall, the 2026 tournament will include 104 matches — a significant increase from the 64 games held in 2022 and even more than the 80 matches initially planned. Meanwhile, in the Asian qualifiers, Iran play Uzbekistan today in Group A of the third round. Iran currently lead the standings, remaining unbeaten in seven matches. If they maintain their undefeated streak against Uzbekistan, they will secure qualification. However, even if Iran lose, they could still qualify — provided both Qatar and the UAE fail to win their respective matches.

World Cup 2026 schedule for the men’s tournament qualification in Europe has been officially set. UEFA conducted the draw on Friday (13 December), forming 12 qualifying groups. From March to November 2025, 54 European nations will compete for a spot in the expanded 48-team World Cup, which kicks off on 11 June 2026 in Mexico City and wraps up with the final on 19 July in New Jersey. Six groups will feature four teams each, while the remaining six will include five. Each nation will face their group opponents twice — once at home and once away — with the group winners earning direct qualification to the World Cup. The second-placed teams will advance to the play-offs, joined by four sides from the upcoming UEFA Nations League. From these, four nations will ultimately secure their tickets to the 2026 tournament. Additionally, this year’s Nations League quarter-finals will influence the qualifying setup, as participating teams will be placed into one of two potential groups.

World Cup 2026 host cities were revealed by FIFA, confirming that the tournament will take place across three nations — the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Eleven stadiums in the U.S., three in Mexico, and two in Canada have been selected as venues. The United States will stage 60 out of the 80 total matches, including all games from the quarterfinals onward. However, FIFA has not yet disclosed which stadiums will host the knockout stage fixtures. Notably, the Rose Bowl — host of the 1994 World Cup final — was excluded, with SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles chosen instead. Both Canada and Mexico will each host 10 matches, and Mexico City’s legendary Estadio Azteca will make history as the first stadium to host matches in three different World Cups.

World Cup 2026 venues are set to mark a new chapter in global football history. Many of the stadiums chosen for the tournament will first host matches during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The 2026 edition will see games played across 16 stadiums in 16 different host cities. All participating nations will be split into 12 groups, with the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams moving forward to the Round of 32. The final matches of both the 2025 Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held at the New York/New Jersey Stadium. Most of the venues selected are currently being upgraded and are expected to be completely ready between 2022 and 2026. FIFA has categorized the 2026 World Cup host cities into three regions: Western, Central, and Eastern. The Western region comprises Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Guadalajara. The Central region includes Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Monterrey, and Mexico City, while the Eastern region features Toronto, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Miami.

FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying saw a dramatic moment just before halftime when China’s right-back Yang Zexiang committed a foul on Indonesia’s midfielder Ricky Kambuaya inside the penalty area. Oxford United striker Ole Romeny calmly converted the resulting penalty past goalkeeper Wang Dalei in the 45th minute. Despite efforts from 18-year-old Wang Yudong, who challenged Indonesia’s keeper in both halves, China was unable to level the score. The visitors faced further difficulty when defender Han Pengfei picked up a first-half injury. With only one match remaining, China is no longer able to finish in the top four of Group C. The team now sits at the bottom of the group with six points from nine games, while Indonesia move up to third with 12 points. Only the top two teams in each six-team group earn direct qualification for the World Cup, while the third and fourth-placed sides advance to another stage of qualifying. Japan and Iran have already secured their spots from Asia for the expanded 48-team tournament, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

World Cup 2026 groups will feature a more inclusive setup, ensuring fans enjoy even more thrilling moments. The 48 teams will be organized into 12 groups of four, each competing in a single round-robin schedule. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-place finishers, will move on to a 32-team knockout stage, progressing from the round of 32 all the way to the final in New Jersey. With group matches hosted across 16 legendary stadiums and high-stakes knockout clashes on the horizon, the 2026 FIFA World Cup promises a full month of nonstop, edge-of-your-seat excitement.