The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on June 13, 2025, that Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been confirmed as the hosts for the upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs, marking a crucial stage in Asia's path to the 2026 World Cup.
Six teams—Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—will be divided into two groups of three teams to compete in a centralized format from October 8 to 14, 2025, battling for the final Asian qualification spots.
The group winners will secure the two remaining automatic berths at the World Cup, while the runners-up from each group will play two matches on November 13 and 18 for the intercontinental playoff spot.
The fourth round draw is scheduled to take place on July 17, 2025, at Umeda Arts Theater in Osaka, Japan, determining the final group compositions for this decisive phase.
The hosting decision faced some controversy as the UAE Football Association protested to FIFA and AFC, requesting neutrality in choosing the host country and emphasizing the importance of justice and transparency in the selection process.
