Three extra groups confirmed their spots on the expanded 2026 Fifa World Cup as Uzbekistan, Jordan and South Korea booked their ticks on Thursday. Uzbekistan and Jordan certified for the boys’s Fifa World Cup for the primary time in historical past, whereas South Korea sealed their eleventh straight look.
The 2026 World Cup can have a report 48 groups within the event to be co-hosted the US, Mexico and Canada.
Historical past for Uzbekistan & Jordan
A 0-0 draw in opposition to the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi was sufficient for Uzbekistan to take the second computerized qualification spot in Group A behind Iran with a recreation to spare. The Central Asian workforce and followers celebrated collectively on the finish and had goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov to thank for quite a lot of vital saves.
In addition to the six computerized qualifiers from Asia, the UAE and Qatar, who defeated the already-qualified Iran 1-0, will end third and fourth and advance to the following stage, the place six groups will compete for 2 extra locations on the 2026 World Cup.
In Group B, South Korea gained 2-0 in Iraq to clinch its place. The Taeguk Warriors have been helped by Ali Al-Hamadi’s first-half crimson card, given to the Ipswich City striker for a excessive kick. Kim Jin-gyu put Korea forward simply after the hour, and the victory was sealed by Oh Hyeon-gyu eight minutes from the tip. It was additionally sufficient for Jordan, who earlier beat Oman 3-0 to clinch a spot within the prime two. All three objectives have been scored by Ali Olwan.
Group C noticed China eradicated after a 1-0 loss to Indonesia in Jakarta. Elsewhere within the group, a last-minute purpose from Aziz Behich gave Australia a 1-0 win over Japan, already certified, in Perth to place the Socceroos inside touching distance of a sixth straight World Cup look.
How does qualification work for 2028?
Forty-three groups will get their spots by means of the varied continental qualifying pathways. Out of those, Asia can have eight direct berths and one within the intercontinental playoff. Africa has 9 direct spots plus one for the intercontinental playoff. North and Central America, plus the Caribbean get three direct berths (plus the three host nations) and one other two spots within the intercontinental playoffs. South America has six direct spots and can ship one other workforce to the intercontinental playoffs. Oceania for the primary time has a assured spot — New Zealand clinched that in March. It may add one other with New Caledonia going into the intercontinental playoffs. Europe can have 16 spots, usually the continent with probably the most illustration.
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One other two will safe their berths within the worldwide playoffs that includes six groups and scheduled for March 2026.
Which groups have certified up to now?
Host nations (computerized qualification): United States, Mexico, Canada
From Asia: Japan (certified on March 20), Iran (certified on March 25), Jordan (certified on June 5), South Korea (certified on June 5), Uzbekistan (certified on June 5)
From Oceania: New Zealand (certified on March 24)
From South America: Argentina (certified on March 25).
(With Reuters and AP inputs)
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