Matchday 2 - Tables

Group A

1. United Arab Emirates 1/2 (+1) 3

2. Qatar 1/2 (0) 1

3. Oman 2/2 (-1) 1

Group B

1. Saudi Arabia 1/2 (+1) 3

2. Iraq 1/2 (+1) 3

3. Indonesia 2/2 (-2) 0

Indonesia are eliminated while Oman could still make Round 5 if Qatar lose on Tuesday.

Qatar v United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia v Iraq are both winner-takes-all ties on the final matchday!

Deserved tbh.

Imagine being so impatient with Shin Tae-yong and expecting an instant change in R4 😘

We'd rather get eliminated in R3 with STY than being humiliated like this with Kluivert.

Hope Iraq can qualify!

This Asian qualifying round is such a scam for the away sides. Some kind of international committee that monitors fair play in sports should look at how Saudi Arabia and Qatar get to host a critical round of World Cup qualifying, with extra days off between their matches.

Edited October 14Oct 14 by DJHazey

Qatar beat UAE 2-1 and qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time on the pitch.

4 hours ago, DJHazey said:

This Asian qualifying round is such a scam for the away sides. Some kind of international committee that monitors fair play in sports should look at how Saudi Arabia and Qatar get to host a critical round of World Cup qualifying, with extra days off between their matches.

Saudi Arabia have loads of £££ fifa want!

Matchday 3

Group A

Qatar 2-1 United Arab Emirates

Group B

Saudi Arabia 0-0 Iraq

Matchday 3 - Tables

Group A

1. Qatar 2/2 (+1) 4

2. United Arab Emirates 2/2 (0) 3

3. Oman 2/2 (-1) 1

Group B

1. Saudi Arabia 2/2 (+1) 4

2. Iraq 2/2 (+1) 4

3. Indonesia 2/2 (-2) 0

Qatar and Saudi Arabia secure their places at the World Cup. Saudi Arabia done it on goals scored.

United Arab Emirates and Iraq will battle it out next month to be the Asian representation at the inter-continental play-offs.

I think Iraq takes that, but funny how now it's an aggregate home and away match after FIFA got their bank accounts i.e. Saudi Arabia and Qatar through.

It has been reported that Japan has considered starting an Eastern Asian Confederation and breaking away from the Middle Eastern portion of Asia/AFC, citing Qatar/Saudi corruption.

This is very interesting if it actually gets off the ground, potentially also teaming up with Oceania and getting New Zealand to play against more competitive teams regularly.

Edited October 17Oct 17 by DJHazey

On 18/10/2025 at 06:15, DJHazey said:

It has been reported that Japan has considered starting an Eastern Asian Confederation and breaking away from the Middle Eastern portion of Asia/AFC, citing Qatar/Saudi corruption.

This is very interesting if it actually gets off the ground, potentially also teaming up with Oceania and getting New Zealand to play against more competitive teams regularly.

I think that might be a good idea. If it gets off the ground hopefully it comes in for the 2030 World Cup.

For the right to be in March 2026's intercontinental playoff.

11/13 - United Arab Emirates vs. Iraq - Al Ain, UAE

11/18 - Iraq vs. United Arab Emirates - Basra, Iraq

Both nations have been in the World Cup once, UAE in 1990 and Iraq in 1986.

Edited October 21Oct 21 by DJHazey

Play-Off - Semi Final (first leg)

United Arab Emirates 1-1 Iraq

All to play for in the 2nd leg!

I think this goes to Iraq now, since it will shift to Basra next week.

Think I’d rather Iraq as I can’t remember a World Cup with them in it, think Mexico 86 was the last one?

Yeah, Iraq have qualified one before (1986) and the UAE have also qualified once (1990).

Play-Off - Semi Final (second leg)

Iraq 2-1 United Arab Emirates

A penalty in the 90+17th minute has sent Iraq to the Intercontinental play-offs after UAE missed some massive chances.

How on Earth did they get to the 107th minute?

Knowing how a lot of the matches go in this region, they will go extra time until the home team finds a winner...

There was similar one for Qatar earlier in qualifying against Uzbekistan.

Edited November 19Nov 19 by DJHazey

7 hours ago, Steve201 said:

How on Earth did they get to the 107th minute?

There was 10 added on and the handball happened in the 10th minute and then with the VAR check and it kicking off a bit after it was awarded meant it dragged on for 7 mins before they took the pen.