WC Qualification Asia (AFC)
› All results, tables and qualified teams of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia
The AFC is planning its 2030 qualifiers along the lines of the proven multi-round format used for 2026. The exact format will be set after the 2027 AFC Asian Cup; the draw is planned for 2027.
| Spots | Teams in qualifying | Format |
|---|
| 8+1* | ~46 | Several rounds (planned) |
Planned structure
| Round | Teams | Format |
|---|
| Round 1 | ~20 (lowest-ranked) | Home and away, knockout |
| Round 2 | 36 (top 26 + 10 Round 1 winners) | 9 groups of 4, home and away |
| Further rounds | Group winners and runners-up | Final rounds until qualification |
* including intercontinental play-offs | draw planned for 2027
Schedule
The key dates up to the 2030 World Cup – officially confirmed, planned or expected based on the 2026 cycle:
| Date | What happens | Status |
|---|
| Jan–Feb 2027 | AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia; afterwards the AFC sets the World Cup qualifying format | planned |
| expected from late 2027 | Asia Round 1 with the lowest-ranked teams – date not yet set (for 2026 this round began in October 2023) | to be confirmed |
| late 2029 | Final draw for the World Cup (for 2026 it was held on 5 December 2025) | expected |
| March 2030 | European play-offs and intercontinental play-offs for the last World Cup tickets | expected |
| 8 June – 21 July 2030 | 2030 World Cup: centenary matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, then the tournament in Spain, Portugal and Morocco up to the final on 21 July | official |
Still open: the start dates in Africa, Asia and Oceania, and whether the 2030 World Cup will have 48 or 64 teams – which also decides the number of places. We update this schedule as soon as the confederations confirm dates.