World Cup 2026 Asia & Oceania Teams Preview: Japan, South Korea, Australia

The AFC (Asia) sends eight teams to 2026, and OFC (Oceania) sends one — New Zealand. Asian football’s profile has never been higher after Japan and South Korea’s 2022 performances.

Japan 🇯🇵 (Group F)

Japan are arguably Asia’s strongest team. Their ability to press intensely, play technically, and produce upset results against European heavyweights (beating Germany and Spain in 2022) makes them one of the most interesting teams in the tournament. In Group F with Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia, they are genuine contenders for second place.

South Korea 🇰🇷 (Group A)

South Korea are in Group A alongside Mexico, Czechia, and South Africa. A group stage exit in 2022 was a disappointment; they will be motivated to advance. South Korea combine European club experience with a well-drilled tactical system.

Australia 🇦🇺 (Group D)

Australia in Group D face USA, Paraguay, and Türkiye. The Socceroos reached the quarter-finals in 2022 — their best-ever World Cup performance. Replicating that feat in 2026 would require navigating a tough group.

Iran 🇮🇷 (Group G)

Iran are consistently West Asia’s strongest qualifying side. In Group G with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, they have a realistic chance of advancing as runners-up.

Iraq 🇮🇶 (Group I)

Iraq return to the World Cup for the first time in decades. In Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Norway, they face a very difficult group but making their return to the tournament’s biggest stage is an achievement in itself.

Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 (Group K)

Uzbekistan are making their World Cup debut — a remarkable achievement for Central Asian football. In Group K with Portugal, DR Congo, and Colombia, they are the group underdogs but will represent their nation with pride.

Qatar 🇶🇦 (Group B)

Qatar, the 2022 hosts, qualified as the AFC’s representative. In Group B with Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Switzerland, they are the group underdogs but have a professional squad motivated to perform better than they did on home soil.

New Zealand 🇳🇿 (Group G)

New Zealand are the OFC representative. In Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and Iran, they will need something exceptional to advance. But tournament football has produced unlikely moments before.

Predict every Asian and Oceanian team’s results in our World Cup 2026 bracket.