6 Asian Countries That Are Favorite to Qualify for the Fourth Round of the 2026 World Cup Asia Zone
A total of 6 Asian countries that are favored to qualify for the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifications in the Asian zone will be reviewed by Okezone. The third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifications in the Asian zone has held two matchdays, which means there are still eight matchdays remaining.
After all participants have passed 10 matches, the top two teams in each group (a total of 6 countries) qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, the teams that finish in third and fourth positions in each group (6 countries) will qualify for the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifications in the Asian zone. The fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifications in the Asian zone was attended by 6 six countries. Later, the six countries will be divided into two groups, each group containing three teams.
The teams that finish as group winners (2 countries) automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, the teams that finish in the runner-up position (2 countries) will meet each other in the Asian Cup playoffs. The team that wins the Asian playoffs will continue their struggle in the inter-confederation playoffs.
Looking at the performance of each team, Okezone predicts that the six countries below will qualify for the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifications in the Asian zone. Anyone?
The following 6 Asian countries are favorites to qualify for the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifications in the Asian zone:
6. United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) opened Group A of the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifications in the Asian zone with brilliant results. Away to Qatar's headquarters, UAE won 3-1. Unfortunately in the second match, the UAE lost 0-1 at home to Iran. Okezone assesses that Iran and Uzbekistan are at a different level than the participants in Group A. Therefore, a realistic target for the UAE is to have the opportunity to qualify for the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifications in the Asian zone by finishing in third or fourth place in Group A.
5. Qatar
Qatar has only collected one point from two matches, losing 1-3 to the UAE and playing 2-2 with North Korea. However, with a squad that won the 2019 and 2023 Asian Cups, it is predicted that The Maarons - Qatar's nickname - will be difficult to stop from finishing in third or fourth place in Group A.
4. Jordan
Jordan currently tops the Group B standings with four points. This figure is exactly the same as South Korea and Iraq in second and third positions. Okezone sees that South Korea and Iraq will finish in first and second place. Meanwhile, Jordan is more suited to finishing in third position.
3. Kuwait
Despite occupying the smallest pot, Kuwait showed stability in their game in the first two matches of Group B. After holding Jordan 1-1 at home, Kuwait forced the strong Iraqi team to play 0-0 at home.
2. Australia
Australia only collected one point from the first two matches. In fact, the Socceroos squad - Australia's nickname - is targeted to score six points in their first matches. This less than smooth start allegedly made it difficult for Jackson Irvine and his friends to finish in the top two.
1. Indonesian National Team
The Indonesian national team still has the opportunity to finish in the top two of Group C, which guarantees automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup. This is after the Indonesian national team scored two points in the first two matches. However, if we talk realistically, finishing in the top four is very good for the Indonesian national team.
The duels against China and Bahrain, both at home and away, must be utilized as well as possible by the Indonesian national team. Because, China and Bahrain are direct rivals of the Indonesian National Team in fighting for the top four positions in Group C.
6 Negara Asia yang Dijagokan Lolos ke Babak Keempat Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026 Zona Asia
SEBANYAK 6 negara Asia yang dijagokan lolos ke babak keempat Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026 zona Asia akan diulas Okezone. Babak ketiga Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026 zona Asia telah menggelar dua matchday, yang itu berarti masih ada delapan matchday tersisa.
Setelah seluruh peserta melewati 10 pertandingan, dua tim teratas di masing-masing grup (total 6 negara) lolos otomatis ke Piala Dunia 2026. Sementara itu, tim-tim yang finis di posisi tiga dan empat di masing-masing grup (6 negara) akan lolos ke babak keempat Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026 zona Asia.
Babak keempat Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026 zona Asia diikuti 6 enam negara. Nantinya, enam negara itu dibagi ke dalam dua grup, yang mana masing-masing grupnya berisikan tiga tim.
Tim-tim yang finis sebagai juara grup (2 negara) otomatis lolos ke Piala Dunia 2026. Sementara itu, tim yang finis di posisi runner-up (2 negara) akan saling bertemu di babak playoff Piala Asia. Tim pemenang playoff Asia akan melanjutkan perjuangan di playoff antarkonfederasi.
Melihat performa masing-masing tim, Okezone memprediksi enam negara di bawah ini akan lolos ke babak keempat Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026 zona Asia. Siapa saja?
Berikut 6 negara Asia yang dijagokan lolos ke babak keempat Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026 zona Asia:
6. Uni Emirat Arab
Uni Emirat Arab (UEA) membuka Grup A babak ketiga Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026 zona Asia lewat hasil yang brilian. Tandang ke markas Qatar, UEA menang 3-1. Sayangnya di laga kedua, UEA tumbang 0-1 di kandang sendiri dari Iran.
Okezone menilai, Iran dan Uzbekistan berada di level berbeda ketimbang para peserta Grup A. Karena itu, target realistis bagi UEA adalah mengintip peluang lolos ke babak keempat Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026 zona Asia dengan finis di posisi tiga atau empat Grup A.
5. Qatar
Qatar memang baru mengoleksi satu angka dari dua pertandingan, hasil kalah 1-3 dari UEA dan bermain 2-2 dengan Korea Utara. Namun, bermodalkan skuad juara Piala Asia 2019 dan 2023, The Maarons -julukan Qatar- diprediksi sulit dihentikan untuk finis di posisi tiga atau empat Grup A.
4. Yordania
Yordania saat ini memang memuncaki klasemen sementara Grup B dengan empat angka. Perolehan angka itu sama persis dengan Korea Selatan dan Irak di posisi dua dan tiga.
Okezone melihat lebih condong Korea Selatan dan Irak yang akan finis di posisi satu dan dua. Sementara Yordania, lebih cocok finis di posisi ketiga.
3. Kuwait
Meski menempati pot paling buncit, Kuwait menunjukan kemapanan permainan di dua laga awal Grup B. Setelah menahan Yordania 1-1 di kandang lawan, Kuwait memaksa tim kuat Irak bermain 0-0 di markas sendiri.
2. Australia
Australia cuma mengoleksi satu angka dari dua laga awal. Padahal, skuad Socceroos -julukan Australia- ditargetkan mengemas enam angka di laga-laga perdana. Start yang kurang mulus ini disinyalir mempersulit jalan Jackson Irvine dan kawan-kawan untuk finis dua besar.
1. Timnas Indonesia
Timnas Indonesia memang masih berpeluang finis di posisi dua besar Grup C yang menggaransi tiket lolos otomatis ke Piala Dunia 2026. Hal itu setelah Timnas Indonesia mengemas dua angka di dua pertandingan awal. Namun, jika bicara realistis, finis empat besar sudah sangat bagus bagi Timnas Indonesia.
Duel melawan China dan Bahrain baik di laga kandang dan tandang, mesti dimanfaatkan Timnas Indonesia sebaik-baiknya. Sebab, China dan Bahrain merupakan rival langsung Timnas Indonesia dalam memperebutkan posisi empat besar Grup C.
