The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up as Asia’s final round of 18 qualifiers enters its last matchday this Tuesday. With five teams already securing their places in the final tournament, all eyes are now on Australia’s decisive clash with Saudi Arabia and a high-stakes showdown between Oman and Palestine.
Australia Poised for World Cup Berth, Just One Point Away
Group C’s final automatic qualification spot remains up for grabs. Australia currently sit second with 16 points, three ahead of third-placed Saudi Arabia (13 points). Not only do the Socceroos have the points advantage, but they also boast a superior goal difference (+8 vs. 0), having scored 14 goals and conceded 6, compared to Saudi Arabia’s 6 scored and 6 conceded.
Australia travel to Jeddah for the final group clash, knowing that a draw is enough to book their ticket to North America. For Saudi Arabia, the task is monumental, and they must win and do so by at least five goals to leapfrog Australia on goal difference. With the Socceroos riding a wave of consistency and experience, the pressure is squarely on the hosts.
A sixth consecutive World Cup appearance is now within touching distance for Australia.
Oman vs. Palestine: Winner Stays Alive
While one battle is for direct qualification, another is for survival. In Group B, Oman and Palestine will face off for a place in the fourth round of Asian qualifiers.
Oman currently holds fourth place with 10 points, just one point ahead of Palestine. A draw will be enough to see Oman through, while Palestine must win to keep their World Cup dream alive. The two sides last met in November, where a solitary goal from Al-Ghassani gave Oman a narrow 1-0 win.
With Palestine facing challenges off the pitch, this fixture symbolises more than just football. It’s about pride, resilience, and the pursuit of hope in the face of adversity.
Several teams have already confirmed their place in the fourth qualifying round: the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from Group A, Iraq from Group B, and Indonesia from Group C. Indonesia’s achievement is particularly historic as the Southeast Asian nation reaches this stage for the first time.
Final Fixtures Serve as Testing Grounds
With many teams already qualified or eliminated, several final round matches will serve more as preparation than competition. Japan will face Indonesia, China takes on Bahrain, while South Korea meet Kuwait, and Jordan plays Iraq. In Group A, Iran will square off against North Korea, Uzbekistan meet Qatar, and Kyrgyzstan host the UAE.
These matches offer coaches the opportunity to rotate their squads, test strategies, and build momentum heading into the next stage or future tournaments.
As the curtain falls on the Asian 18-team qualifiers, drama is guaranteed. Can Australia hold firm and secure its place? Will Palestine pull off a stunning win to stay in the race? With qualification on the line and pride at stake, Tuesday’s matches promise to deliver emotion, tension, and unforgettable moments. The journey to the World Cup 2026 is far from over, and for a few, it’s just beginning.
