On March 25, 2025, the USA, Mexico and Canada learned the third team to join the party in North America for the 2026 World Cup, as Iran secured their progression from the third round of AFC qualifying.
Team Melli have towering marksman Mehdi Taremi to thank for the honour following his brilliant brace in the eighth match of the third round, with the striker's efforts earning his nation a 2-2 draw at home against Uzbekistan.
As mentioned, Iran are the third non-host nation to guarantee their spot at the World Cup, but the third round of AFC qualifying is far from finished, and four other teams still able to qualify automatically between now and the close of play in June.
The third stage is split into three groups of six, with the top two sides in each group earning direct qualification, while the teams ranked third and fourth will have the safety net of a fourth round and potential inter-confederation playoff.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the state of play in AFC World Cup qualifying following Iran's progression to the final tournament.
Group A standings
© Imago
1. Iran - 20pts (P8 W6 D2 L0 GD +9)
2. Uzbekistan - 17pts (P8 W5 D2 L1 GD +4)
3. United Arab Emirates - 13pts (P8 W4 D1 L3 GD +7)
4. Qatar - 10pts (P8 W3 D1 L4 GD -5)
5. Kyrgyzstan - 6pts (P8 W2 D0 L6 GD -6)
6. North Korea - 2pts (P8 W0 D2 L6 GD -9)
UPCOMING FIXTURES
All kickoff times in UK time
Qatar vs. Iran (June 5 | Time TBC | Lusail Stadium, Lusail)
United Arab Emirates vs. Uzbekistan (June 5 | Time TBC | Venue TBC)
North Korea vs. Kyrgyzstan (June 5 | Time TBC | Venue TBC)
STORY SO FAR
Ahead of the final pair of rounds in the third stage of AFC qualification for the World Cup, there are two front-runners in the race for top spot, one of which has already punched their ticket for a position in North America next year.
A contender at the 2022 edition of the World Cup, Iran became the second side from the confederation to secure their place in the 2026 tournament, with Team Melli seven points ahead of third spot with just six points left to fight for.
Earning a respectable point at the base of the Group A leaders last time out, Uzbekistan are edging towards their first-ever World Cup appearance and require only a single victory from their final two section fixtures to earn a spot at football's biggest show.
After a shock 3-1 defeat to section strugglers Kyrgyzstan in March, 2022 hosts Qatar will have to battle through the fourth stage of AFC qualification if they wish to make back-to-back World Cups, with second-placed Uzbekistan now seven points better off.
Group B standings
© Imago
1. South Korea - 16pts (P8 W4 D4 L0 GD +7)
2. Jordan - 13pts (P8 W3 D4 L1 GD +6)
3. Iraq - 12pts (P8 W3 D3 L2 GD +1)
4. Oman - 10pts (P8 W3 D1 L4 GD -2)
5. Palestine - 6pts (P8 W1 D3 L4 GD -5)
6. Kuwait - 5pts (P8 W0 D5 L3 GD -7)
UPCOMING FIXTURES
All kickoff times in UK time
Iraq vs. South Korea (June 5 | Time TBC | Basra International Stadium, Basra)
Oman vs. Jordan (June 5| Time TBC | Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat)
Kuwait vs. Palestine (June 5 | Time TBC | Venue TBC)
STORY SO FAR
Regular appearance-makers in the knockout stages of World Cup finals, South Korea are the unsurprising leaders of a minnow-filled Group B in AFC World Cup qualifying, however the Asian giants still have work to do in order to secure a top-two finish.
A major storyline of the March drama in this section, Palestine kept their World Cup hopes alive after securing their maiden success of the group last time out, with a 97th-minute goal from Ameed Mhagna snatching all three points at home versus Iraq.
Yet to taste victory after eight matches, Kuwait are rooted to the very bottom of proceedings and need maximum points from their last two matches to stand any chance of squeezing into the fourth round of qualification.
Group C standings
© Imago
1. Japan - 20pts (P8 W6 D2 L0 GD +22)
2. Australia - 13pts (P8 W3 D4 L1 GD +7)
3. Saudi Arabia - 10pts (P8 W2 D4 L2 GD -2)
4. Indonesia - 9pts (P8 W2 D3 L3 GD -6)
5. Bahrain - 6pts (P8 W1 D3 L4 GD -8)
6. China - 6pts (P8 W2 D0 L6 GD -13)
UPCOMING FIXTURES
All kickoff times in UK time
Australia vs. Japan (June 5 | 11.10am | Perth Stadium, Perth)
Indonesia vs. China (June 5 | Time TBC | Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta)
Bahrain vs. Saudi Arabia (June 5 | Time TBC | Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa)
STORY SO FAR
Having already booked their spot at next year's World Cup over the course of a productive opening eight matches, Japan are likely to take the handbrake off as they navigate their final two fixtures of Group C, the first of which arrives in Perth against Australia on June 5.
The Socceroos have improved significantly under the leadership of Tony Popovic since his arrival earlier in the qualification cycle, meaning that his side likely require just one more win to secure a place at the World Cup.
Producing the upset of the 2022 edition in Qatar after downing eventual winners Argentina, Saudi Arabia are struggling in their quest for a top-two finish, with the Green Falcons victorious in just two of the opening eight Group C battles.
Carter White
