The fourth round of the AFC qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, officially kicked off on Thursday.
In a thrilling Group B clash, Saudi Arabia narrowly defeated Southeast Asian powerhouse Indonesia 3–2 to secure a winning start. Meanwhile, Group A saw a tightly contested battle as Qatar and Oman fought to a 0–0 draw after 90 minutes of intense play.
The fourth round of the Asian qualifiers is divided into two groups: Group A consists of Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, while Group B features Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia.
The top team from each group will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, while the two runners-up will advance to the next stage to compete for a spot in the intercontinental playoff.
Afif Misses a Golden Chance as Qatar Fails to Take All Three Points
Group A matches are being held in Qatar, but the reigning Asian Cup champions failed to make an ideal start, drawing 0–0 with Oman in their opening game.
In the 59th minute, Akram Afif broke through on goal but narrowly missed the target with his shot, Qatar’s best chance of the match. Up next, Oman will face the UAE in three days, while Qatar will have six days of rest before taking on the same opponent, the UAE.
Saudi Arabia Triumphs Over Indonesia at Home
Group B action took place in Saudi Arabia, where the hosts made the most of their home advantage to defeat Indonesia 3–2 in a dramatic encounter.
The match featured three penalty kicks. In the 11th minute, Saudi defender Intambati handled the ball in the box, gifting Indonesia a penalty. Diks stepped up and converted to give the visitors an early lead.
However, just six minutes later, Saudi’s Abu Shamat equalised with a stunning long-range strike, sending the home crowd into celebration.
Al-Buraikan’s Brace Seals the Comeback
In the 35th minute, Saudi Arabia earned a penalty, which Al-Buraikan calmly converted to give his side a 2–1 lead before halftime.
After the break, Al-Buraikan struck again in the 62nd minute, completing his brace and extending Saudi Arabia’s advantage to 3–1. Late in the match, a foul inside the box by a Saudi defender gave Indonesia another penalty, and Diks converted once more to make it 2–3.
Kanno Sent Off but Saudi Arabia Hold On
During stoppage time, Saudi defender Kanno received a second yellow card and was sent off, reducing the hosts to ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Saudi Arabia held firm and repelled Indonesia’s late attacks to secure a 3–2 victory.
Looking ahead, Indonesia will face Iraq in three days, while Saudi Arabia will take on Iraq six days later.
