Qatar & Saudi Arabia confirmed as hosts for upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on 13 June 2025 that Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been confirmed as the hosts for the upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs.
Six teams, the third and fourth-placed sides from the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26, namely Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, will be divided into two groups of three teams to battle in a centralised format from 8 - 14 October 2025, with the group winners securing the two remaining automatic berths at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Subsequently, the runners-up from each group will face off in the two-legged AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs Knockout Stage on 13 & 18 November 2025, with the winner advancing to the FIFA Play-off Tournament.
The Official Draw is scheduled to be held on 17 July 2025.
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