News Snapshot:
The qualification format of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup 2027 has been finalised and approved by the executive committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Eight direct spots and a single Intercontinental playoffs slot have been allocated to the AFC by FIFA following the expansion of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to 48 teams from 32. 22 teams, ranked 26 to 47 (among Asian teams), will be drawn to face off in a home and away format, where the 11 winners will progress to the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2. 36 teams – teams ranked from...