Group C in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is considered to be a very competitive group, even more so than Groups A and B, earning it the title of the "Group of Death".
The group justifies its reputation with the presence of three powerhouses - Australia, Japan and Saudi Arabia - all regular participants in World Cup finals, including the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
This is the third time in a row that these teams have been drawn together at this stage of qualifying, with at least one of them guaranteed not to qualify directly for the finals. Notably, Japan and Australia share a qualifying group for the fifth time in a row.
Group C also reveals the ambitions of its participants. Bahrain are determined to make history by qualifying for their first-ever World Cup, while China are eager to repeat their 2002 success by returning to the global stage.
Adding to the intrigue is the clash between Australia and Indonesia, which has a derby feel to it, reflecting the long-standing rivalry between the two neighbours. According to Transfermarkt, the two sides have met on 16 occasions since 1960, with Indonesia recording just 2 wins, 4 draws and 10 defeats.
Japan Dominate, Chaos Below
Japan have consolidated their dominance in Group C, finishing top of the standings with 16 points. Victory over China in their sixth match also boosted their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
However, the race for second place remains wide open. With Indonesia, China, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia all level on points, the remaining four matches will be crucial in determining the fate of each team.
Indonesia in a Fragile Position
The competition in Group C has intensified with Indonesia's rise to third place. A 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia, thanks to two goals from Marselino Ferdinan, saw Indonesia level on points and goal difference with the Saudis. However, Indonesia have the edge on goal difference.
Under the guidance of Shin Tae-yong, Garuda have collected six points from one win and three draws. Despite being underdogs with a FIFA ranking well below most of their rivals, including the likes of Japan and Australia, Indonesia have exceeded initial expectations.
However, their third-place place remains fragile, with only goal difference and goals scored separating third from sixth place.
2024 Qualifiers Complete, 2025 Awaits
All 18 teams in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers for the Asian zone have completed two matches during the FIFA Matchday in November, which included the fifth and sixth matchdays held on November 14-15 and November 19. These matches mark the conclusion of their efforts in 2024.
However, the journey towards the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is far from over. Next year, each team still has four remaining matches in 2025 to secure crucial points in the race for a spot in the final tournament.
March 20, 2025
- Australia vs Indonesia
- Japan vs Bahrain
- Saudi Arabia vs China
March 25, 2025
- Indonesia vs Bahrain
- Japan vs Saudi Arabia
- Australia vs China
June 5, 2025
- Indonesia vs China
- Australia vs Japan
- Bahrain vs Saudi Arabia
June 10, 2025
- Japan vs Indonesia
- China vs Bahrain
- Saudi Arabia vs Australia
