Uzbekistan and Jordan achieved landmark FIFA World Cup qualifications on Thursday, securing their first-ever appearances at football’s premier tournament during a dramatic round of Asian qualifiers, according to Reuters.
Uzbekistan booked their place at the 2026 finals with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi, a result guaranteeing them second place in Group A alongside already-qualified Iran. Goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov emerged as the hero, making several crucial second-half saves that sealed Uzbekistan’s passage.
Simultaneously, Jordan defeated Oman 3-0 in Muscat through a commanding Ali Olwan hat-trick, though their celebrations remained temporarily subdued pending South Korea’s result against Iraq. Olwan opened the scoring with a penalty in first-half stoppage time before adding two clinical second-half finishes, showcasing Jordan’s attacking prowess.
The comprehensive victory positioned Jordan to capitalise on South Korea’s subsequent 2-0 win over Iraq, which confirmed the west Asian nation’s historic qualification. South Korea secured their own progression through second-half goals from Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu, extending their remarkable streak to 11 consecutive World Cup appearances.
Unfolding drama in race for remaining spots
While Uzbekistan and Jordan celebrated maiden qualifications, Australia edged closer to securing their place after a dramatic 1-0 victory over Japan in Perth. Aziz Behich’s 90th-minute strike – a curling finish from Riley McGree’s pull-back – ended Australia’s 16-year winless run against Japan and ignited celebrations at Perth Stadium.
The result leaves the Socceroos needing only to avoid a five-goal defeat against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Tuesday to confirm progression from Group C. Saudi Arabia kept their slender hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Bahrain through goals from Musab Al-Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al-Obud, setting up a high-stakes final.
Meanwhile, Indonesia guaranteed advancement to October’s fourth-round qualifiers with a 1-0 victory over China, sealed by Ole Romeny’s first-half penalty in Jakarta. The result eliminated China, whose sole World Cup appearance remains the 2002 finals.
Palestine maintained hopes of progressing from Group B with a 2-0 win over Kuwait, moving within one point of Oman ahead of their decisive meeting on Tuesday. The United Arab Emirates and Qatar will also feature in the fourth round despite mixed results – the UAE secured third place in Group A with their draw against Uzbekistan, while Qatar defeated 10-man Iran 1-0 through Pedro Correia’s close-range goal.
The qualification structure now shifts to its next phase: the six third- and fourth-placed teams will contest two three-team groups in October 2025. Group winners will secure spots at the World Cup, whereas the runners-up will advance to November playoffs for Asia’s inter-confederal slot.
Thursday’s matches underscored Asia’s evolving football landscape, where traditional powerhouses now share the stage with ambitious nations fulfilling decades-long dreams of global participation.
