Sugawara hopes high of World Cup qualification can help Southampton beat the drop
Yukinari Sugawara hopes a recent international high can help his bid to help Southampton avoid relegation.
Asian qualifying: Can Japan win the World Cup? Irvine the new Cahill?
After matchday eight of Asia's World Cup qualifiers, ESPN's writers answer the burning questions, provide analysis and break down the biggest performances across the continent.
Irvine leads Socceroos to WCQ win over China
Australia's quest to secure automatic World Cup qualification is set to go down to the wire, despite the Socceroos earning a 2-0 away win over China.
2026 World Cup: Who has qualified, and how the rest can make it
The race for the 2026 World Cup has begun in earnest. Here's how it's looking around the globe.
Built on trust: Popovic showing faith in familiar faces, and it's working
With Tony Popovic backing faces familiar to him, the Socceroos' win over China demonstrates how trust and process are shaping their road to 2026.
Iran seal World Cup qualification as Taremi double earns draw
VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS OF IRAN AND UZBEKISTAN DRAWING 2-2 IN THE THIRD ROUND OF ASIAN QUALIFYING FOR THE 2026 WORLD CUP
Iran qualifies for 2026 World Cup, Australia close
Iran qualified for the 2026 World Cup after Mehdi Taremi scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan on Tuesday.
South Korea held 1-1 at home to Jordan
VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS OF SOUTH KOREA'S 1-1 DRAW AT HOME TO JORDAN IN WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
Post-qualification hangover immediately offers areas of improvement for Japan
Japan want to win the World Cup. Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia should tell them what they need to get there.
With qualification in the bag, quest to win World Cup now begins for Japan
Japan are the first team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their attention is now on winning it.
Teague chose Socceroos over China, Malaysia
Melbourne Victory midfielder Ryan Teague has been in demand across the past few months, fielding interest from the national teams of both China and Malaysia amid a breakout A-League Men campaign.
Socceroos hit by more injuries ahead of WCQ
The Socceroos have been pressed into an injury-enforced reshuffle of their striking ranks, with Adam Taggart and Kusini Yengi forced to withdraw from Tony Popovic's squad and Mitch Duke called up as reinforcement.
Kluivert laments missed penalty but vows Indonesia will keep attacking
Patrick Kluivert lamented a missed penalty that proved costly as his first game in charge of Indonesia ended in defeat.
Saudi Arabia edge China 1-0 in World Cup qualifier
VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS OF SAUDI ARABIA BEATING CHINA 1-0 IN SOCCER WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
Iran on the verge of World Cup qualification after UAE win
VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS OF IRAN BEATING THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 2-0 IN SOCCER WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
The five minutes that smiled on the Socceroos' World Cup qualification campaign
As far as footballing analysis goes, that goals change games isn't the most cutting of insights, but sometimes the simplest of wisdom can be the most percipient.
Unstoppable Samurai Blue: Reliving Japan's charge to the 2026 World Cup
Japan are the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Here's how they did so -- in sheer dominant fashion.
Wataru Endo, Takefusa Kubo react to Japan's World Cup 2026 qualification (0:42)
Kamada, Kubo strike as Japan become first nation to qualify for World Cup
VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS OF JAPAN PLAYING BAHRAIN IN A SOCCER WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
South Korea held to 1-1 draw after Oman's 80th minute goal in World Cup Qualifier
VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS OF SOUTH KOREA DRAWING 1-1 WITH OMAN IN SOCCER WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
Japan become 1st side to qualify for '26 World Cup
Japan beat Bahrain 2-0 in Saitama on Thursday to become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Socceroos sink Indonesia in major qualifying win
The Socceroos have taken a giant step towards automatic World Cup qualification by hammering Indonesia 5-1 in the most emphatic victory of the Tony Popovic era.
What to watch for in March internationals: Tuchel's England debut, Ronaldo goals, Poch's first big U.S. test
It's the first internationals of the year! There's lots happening as World Cup qualifying ramps up and European teams face off in the Nations League.
Foreign-born or homegrown, Idzes insists 'duty' to Indonesia is clear for all
Despite Indonesia's influx of foreign-born talent, Jay Idzes insists everyone is aware of their "duty" to the nation.
Son Heung-min in 'very good' physical condition despite Tottenham squad rotation (1:17)
WCQ - AFC Ladder
| Group A | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iran | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | +9 | 20 |
| Uzbekistan | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +4 | 17 |
| United Arab Emirates | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | +7 | 13 |
| Qatar | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -5 | 10 |
| Kyrgyz Republic | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 6 |
| North Korea | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | -9 | 2 |
| Group B | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| South Korea | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | +7 | 16 |
| Jordan | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | +6 | 13 |
| Iraq | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 12 |
| Oman | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -2 | 10 |
| Palestine | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -5 | 6 |
| Kuwait | 8 | 0 | 5 | 3 | -7 | 5 |
| Group C | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Japan | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | +22 | 20 |
| Australia | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | +7 | 13 |
| Saudi Arabia | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | -2 | 10 |
| Indonesia | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -6 | 9 |
| Bahrain | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -8 | 6 |
| China | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -13 | 6 |