Third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia: Surprises!
The first round of matches in the third qualifying stage for the 2026 World Cup in the Asian region has concluded with some exciting surprises.
While the Japanese team achieved a crushing 7-0 victory over the Chinese team, the Australian team shocked fans with a 0-1 defeat against Bahrain. This was considered an "earthquake" in the opening round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia.
Facing a weaker opponent at home, the chances of Graham Arnold's team securing all three points are very clear. In every respect, the Australian team, having participated in the World Cup six times in the past, is completely superior to the team nicknamed Al-Ahmar.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. Not only did Australia fail to score, but they also suffered a counter-attack from the visitors. An own goal by defender Harry Souttar in the 89th minute gave Bahrain a triumphant victory at the Cbus Super Stadium (Gold Coast).
Equally surprising for football fans was the match between the South Korean and Palestinian national teams. Despite playing at home in Seoul's Olympic Stadium, coach Hong Myung-bo's team was unable to score against the team from the Middle East.
Throughout the 90-minute match, the South Korean team dominated possession and created numerous scoring opportunities. However, Son Heung-min and his teammates failed to capitalize on these chances, preventing the "Land of Kimchi" from securing a full three points. It felt like a loss for coach Hong Myung-bo's team in a draw.
Nevertheless, given their current strength, the chances of Australia and South Korea qualifying for the 2026 World Cup remain wide open. Simply finishing in one of the top four positions in their group will guarantee them a place at the biggest football event on the planet, held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
