South Korea’s Lee Kang-in, center and teammates warm up during an open training session ahead of the second round of the 2026 World Cup 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifier in Goyang, South Korea, in Goyang, South Korea. Saturday, June 8, 2024.
16:04 JST, June 10, 2024
India and China’s World Cup ambitions will be on the line on Tuesday when defeat could mean elimination from Asian qualifying.
A large part of the world’s population will follow the results with interest.
If China loses to South Korea in the final match of the second qualifying round in Seoul, it could lose second place in Group C to Thailand, which hosts Singapore in Bangkok.
Only the top two teams in each of the nine groups will advance to the third stage of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Only five of the 18 places are still up for grabs, with continental football heavyweights such as Japan, Australia, Iran and Saudi Arabia already guaranteed to make progress.
China, who have qualified for only one Men’s World Cup – when the tournament was co-hosted by Japan and South Korea in 2002 – missed a chance to progress last week when they drew 1-1 with Thailand in Shenyang.
“There is still a lot of football to be played and we will go to South Korea and give everything we have,” said Chinese national coach Branko Ivankovic. “We will go all out in the next match and try to qualify for the next round.”
It will be difficult for Ivankovic’s team. China has won just twice in 37 matches against South Korea. At number 23, the South Koreans are 65 places higher than China in the FIFA world rankings.
And although South Korea sealed their place in the next leg with a 7-0 defeat to Singapore last week, there is unlikely to be any lack of intensity in the rivalry against China.
“Just as we made our fans happy with the win over Singapore, we all want to end this round on a high note on our home court,” said South Korea’s interim head coach Kim Do-hoon. “Everyone on the team feels the same.”
India could make progress with a win over Qatar in 2022, but anything less will give Afghanistan a chance. The teams are tied for second place in Group A on points, but Afghanistan has an inferior goal difference.
India were disappointed with last week’s 0-0 draw against Kuwait in Kolkata and now face a tough trip to the home of the Asian champions, although Qatar has already secured top spot in the group.
“We have to believe in our team,” said India coach Igor Stimac. “We have to believe in our capabilities and what is possible. We have a young team. So we have to believe in what we can do.”
Indonesia could also advance to the third stage of qualifying for the first time with a win over the Philippines.
“There will be no withdrawal against the Philippines. We have to work even harder,” said coach Shin Tae-yong. If Indonesia makes a mistake, Vietnam could benefit from a victory over already advancing Iraq.
North Korea and Syria are battling for second place in Group B.
Syria is one point ahead of North Korea in the standings but faces a tough away match against Japan, who have won all five matches so far without conceding a goal. North Korea will face last-place Myanmar and is expected to win.
Football – AFC Qualifiers – Group B – Japan vs North Korea – Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – March 21, 2024 Japan’s Ao Tanaka celebrates his first goal with Hidemasa Morita and teammates
Kyrgyzstan needs just a point against Group D leaders Oman to move ahead of Malaysia in third place.
Already assured of a place in the next round despite disruptions amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the Palestinian team arrived in Australia without Football Federation President Jibril Rajoub for Tuesday’s Group I match in Perth.
Local media reported this weekend that Rajoub was denied an entry visa despite his application being approved by Australian football organizers.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday he was not involved in the visa situation, with decisions made by border and immigration officials.
