The 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will determine which teams from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will qualify for the 2024 FIFA World Cup, to be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The qualifying format for the 2024 World Cup has not yet been announced, but it is expected to be similar to the format used for the 2022 World Cup. In the previous cycle, 46 AFC teams were divided into two zones: the East Zone and the West Zone. Further details on the qualifying format, schedule and draw will be released in due time.
With the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026, Asia will have a guaranteed eight berths plus one extra slot in the inter-confederation play-offs.
2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia
The 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will be the qualifying tournament for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) teams to qualify for the 2024 FIFA World Cup. Here are 8 important points about the competition:
- 46 AFC teams
- Two zones: East and West
- Eight guaranteed berths
- One inter-confederation play-off slot
- Qualifying format to be announced
- Competition expected to start in 2023
- Top Asian teams to compete
- Road to 2026 World Cup
With the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026, Asia’s increased allocation of slots means that the competition is expected to be highly competitive, with the top teams in Asia vying for a place in the global showpiece.
46 AFC teams
The 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will feature 46 teams from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). This is the same number of teams that participated in the 2022 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition.
The 46 teams will be divided into two zones: the East Zone and the West Zone. The East Zone will consist of 23 teams, while the West Zone will consist of 23 teams. The teams in each zone will be ranked based on their FIFA World Rankings, and they will be drawn into groups accordingly.
The top teams in each group will qualify for the next round of the competition, which will be a knockout stage. The winners of the knockout stage will qualify for the 2024 FIFA World Cup.
The 46 teams that will participate in the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition are:
Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Chinese Taipei, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen
Two zones: East and West
The 46 teams that will participate in the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will be divided into two zones: the East Zone and the West Zone. This is the same format that was used in the 2022 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition.
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East Zone
The East Zone will consist of 23 teams. The teams in this zone will be:
- Australia
- China
- Chinese Taipei
- Guam
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Korea DPR
- Korea Republic
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Mongolia
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Vietnam
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West Zone
The West Zone will consist of 23 teams. The teams in this zone will be:
- Afghanistan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Maldives
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Sri Lanka
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
The teams in each zone will be ranked based on their FIFA World Rankings, and they will be drawn into groups accordingly. The top teams in each group will qualify for the next round of the competition, which will be a knockout stage. The winners of the knockout stage will qualify for the 2024 FIFA World Cup.
Eight guaranteed berths
Asia will have eight guaranteed berths in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an increase from the four guaranteed berths that the continent had in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This is due to the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026.
The eight guaranteed berths will be allocated to the top eight teams in the final standings of the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition. These teams will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In addition to the eight guaranteed berths, Asia will also have one team qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs. The team that finishes ninth in the final standings of the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs.
The inter-confederation play-offs will be held in 2026, and they will determine which teams will qualify for the final two berths in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The eight guaranteed berths for Asia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup are a significant increase from the four guaranteed berths that the continent had in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This increase reflects the growing strength of football in Asia, and it will give more Asian teams the opportunity to compete on the world stage.
One inter-confederation play-off slot
In addition to the eight guaranteed berths, Asia will also have one team qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs. The team that finishes ninth in the final standings of the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs.
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Format
The inter-confederation play-offs will be held in 2026, and they will determine which teams will qualify for the final two berths in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The inter-confederation play-offs will be a single-elimination tournament, and the teams will be drawn into two paths.
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Path A
Path A will consist of teams from Asia, South America, and Oceania. The winner of Path A will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Path B
Path B will consist of teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean, and Africa. The winner of Path B will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Qualification
The team that finishes ninth in the final standings of the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs.
The inter-confederation play-offs are a significant opportunity for Asian teams to qualify for the World Cup. The team that finishes ninth in the final standings of the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will have a chance to compete for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Qualifying format to be announced
The qualifying format for the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition has not yet been announced by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). However, it is expected to be similar to the format used for the 2022 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition.
In the 2022 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition, the 46 teams were divided into two zones: the East Zone and the West Zone. The East Zone consisted of 23 teams, while the West Zone consisted of 23 teams. The teams in each zone were ranked based on their FIFA World Rankings, and they were drawn into groups accordingly.
The top teams in each group advanced to the next round of the competition, which was a knockout stage. The winners of the knockout stage qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
It is likely that the qualifying format for the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will be similar to the format used for the 2022 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition. However, the AFC has not yet announced the official qualifying format.
Once the qualifying format has been announced, it will be updated in this article.
Competition expected to start in 2023
The 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition is expected to start in 2023. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has not yet announced the official start date for the competition, but it is likely that the first matches will be played in September or October of 2023.
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First round
The first round of the competition will be a preliminary round, which will involve the lowest-ranked teams in Asia. The teams will be drawn into groups, and the winners of each group will advance to the second round.
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Second round
The second round of the competition will be the group stage. The teams will be divided into eight groups of five or six teams. The top two teams in each group will advance to the third round.
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Third round
The third round of the competition will be a knockout stage. The 16 teams that advance from the second round will be drawn into two groups of eight teams. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the 2024 FIFA World Cup.
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Inter-confederation play-offs
The team that finishes ninth in the third round will qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs. The inter-confederation play-offs will be held in 2026, and they will determine which teams will qualify for the final two berths in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition is expected to be highly competitive, with the top teams in Asia vying for a place in the 2024 FIFA World Cup. The competition is expected to start in 2023, and the first matches will be played in September or October of 2023.
Top Asian teams to compete
The 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will feature the top teams in Asia, including:
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Australia
Australia is the highest-ranked team in Asia, and they are currently ranked 38th in the FIFA World Rankings. Australia has qualified for the last four FIFA World Cups, and they will be looking to qualify for their fifth consecutive World Cup in 2024.
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Japan
Japan is the second-highest ranked team in Asia, and they are currently ranked 24th in the FIFA World Rankings. Japan has qualified for the last seven FIFA World Cups, and they will be looking to qualify for their eighth consecutive World Cup in 2024.
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South Korea
South Korea is the third-highest ranked team in Asia, and they are currently ranked 28th in the FIFA World Rankings. South Korea has qualified for the last ten FIFA World Cups, and they will be looking to qualify for their eleventh consecutive World Cup in 2024.
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Iran
Iran is the fourth-highest ranked team in Asia, and they are currently ranked 21st in the FIFA World Rankings. Iran has qualified for the last five FIFA World Cups, and they will be looking to qualify for their sixth consecutive World Cup in 2024.
These are just a few of the top Asian teams that will be competing in the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition. The competition is expected to be highly competitive, and the top teams in Asia will be vying for a place in the 2024 FIFA World Cup.
Road to 2026 World Cup
The 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will be the first step on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first World Cup to be expanded to 48 teams, and Asia will have eight guaranteed berths in the tournament.
The top eight teams in the final standings of the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team that finishes ninth in the final standings of the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs.
The inter-confederation play-offs will be held in 2026, and they will determine which teams will qualify for the final two berths in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team that wins the inter-confederation play-offs will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will be a highly competitive tournament, with the top teams in Asia vying for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The competition will be the first step on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and it will be a great opportunity for Asian teams to qualify for the expanded World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It will be the first time that the World Cup has been held in three countries, and it will be the first time that the World Cup has been held in North America since 1994.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition:
Question 1: When will the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition start?
Answer: The 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition is expected to start in 2023. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has not yet announced the official start date for the competition, but it is likely that the first matches will be played in September or October of 2023.
Question 2: How many teams will participate in the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition?
Answer: 46 teams from the Asian Football Confederation will participate in the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition.
Question 3: What is the format of the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition?
Answer: The qualifying format for the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition has not yet been announced by the AFC. However, it is expected to be similar to the format used for the 2022 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition.
Question 4: How many teams from Asia will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: Eight teams from Asia will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team that finishes ninth in the final standings of the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs.
Question 5: Where will the 2026 FIFA World Cup be held?
Answer: The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Question 6: When will the 2026 FIFA World Cup be held?
Answer: The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held from June 8 to July 3, 2026.
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition. For more information, please visit the AFC website.
In addition to the FAQ section, here are some tips for following the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition:
Tips
Here are some tips for following the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition:
1. Check the AFC website regularly. The AFC website will have all the latest news and information about the competition, including the schedule, results, and standings.
2. Follow the AFC on social media. The AFC is active on social media, and they will be posting regular updates about the competition on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
3. Watch the matches live. If you can, watch the matches live on TV or online. This is the best way to experience the excitement of the competition.
4. Get involved in the conversation. Join the conversation about the competition on social media using the hashtag #WorldCupQualifiersAsia. You can share your thoughts on the matches, discuss the teams, and connect with other fans.
By following these tips, you can stay up-to-date on all the latest news and information about the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition.
The 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition is expected to be a highly competitive and exciting tournament. By following these tips, you can make sure that you don’t miss any of the action.
Conclusion
The 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will be a highly competitive and exciting tournament. The top teams in Asia will be vying for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be the first World Cup to be expanded to 48 teams.
The qualifying format for the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition has not yet been announced, but it is expected to be similar to the format used for the 2022 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition. The 46 teams from the Asian Football Confederation will be divided into two zones: the East Zone and the West Zone. The teams in each zone will be ranked based on their FIFA World Rankings, and they will be drawn into groups accordingly.
The top teams in each group will qualify for the next round of the competition, which will be a knockout stage. The winners of the knockout stage will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Asia will have eight guaranteed berths in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the team that finishes ninth in the final standings of the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs.
The 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition will be a great opportunity for Asian teams to qualify for the expanded World Cup. The competition is expected to be highly competitive, and the top teams in Asia will be vying for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
We hope this article has provided you with all the information you need to know about the 2024 World Cup Qualifying Asia competition. We encourage you to follow the competition closely and cheer on your favorite teams.