KUALA LUMPUR: The Asian Football Confederation has confirmed Qatar and Saudi Arabia as hosts for the autumn’s Asian World Cup qualifiers.

Six teams, the third and fourth-placed sides – Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – will be divided into two groups of three teams to do battle in a centralised format from October 8 to 14 with the group winners securing the two remaining automatic berths at next year’s World Cup.

Subsequently, the runners-up from each group will face off in the two-legged AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs Knockout Stage on November 13 and 18, 2025, with the winner advancing to the FIFA Play-off Tournament.

The Official Draw is scheduled to be held on July 17, 2025.

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