Winner SF A2

World Cup 2026 Analysis

The term "SF A2" is not a standard designation for a specific stage or group within the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification format across any confederation. The qualification process is structured by confederations (such as AFC for Asia, UEFA for Europe, CONMEBOL for South America, etc.) and further divided into distinct rounds and groups.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Format Overview

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest in history, expanding from 32 to 48 teams. It will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, all of whom receive automatic qualification spots. The tournament will feature 12 groups of four teams in the group stage, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to a new Round of 32. This expanded format means a total of 104 matches will be played, up from 64. The final will take place on July 19, 2026.

A total of 45 spots remain available through continental qualifying competitions and inter-confederation playoffs. The allocation of spots across confederations is as follows:

• UEFA (Europe): 16 spots
• CAF (Africa): 9 spots + 1 playoff position
• AFC (Asia): 8 spots + 1 playoff position
• CONMEBOL (South America): 6 spots + 1 playoff position
• CONCACAF (North/Central America & Caribbean): 3 spots (excluding hosts) + 2 playoff positions
• OFC (Oceania): 1 spot + 1 playoff position

An inter-confederation playoff tournament involving six teams will decide the final two World Cup spots.

AFC (Asia) Qualification Pathway

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 involves five rounds. The first two rounds also serve as qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

• First Round: 20 teams played home-and-away over two legs, with the 10 winners advancing to the Second Round.
• Second Round: 36 teams (the 26 highest-ranked teams and the 10 first-round winners) were drawn into nine groups of four. Teams played home-and-away round-robin matches, and the winners and runners-up from each group (18 teams in total) advanced to the Third Round and also qualified for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. This round concluded on June 11, 2024.
• Third Round: The 18 teams that advanced from the Second Round are divided into three groups of six teams. They play against each other on a home-and-away basis. The top two teams from each group (six teams in total) qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The third and fourth-placed teams from each group (six teams in total) advance to the Fourth Round. The third-round matches began in September 2024 and will culminate in June 2025.
• Fourth Round: The six teams from the Third Round (third and fourth-placed teams) are divided into two groups of three teams. They play each other once at a centralized venue. The winners of each group (two teams) qualify for the World Cup. The runners-up of each group advance to the Fifth Round.
• Fifth Round: The two runners-up from the Fourth Round play a home-and-away playoff. The winner advances to the inter-confederation playoffs.

Qualified AFC Teams and Prospects (as of December 2025)

As of December 2025, several AFC teams have already secured their spots in the FIFA World Cup 2026. These include:

• Australia
• IR Iran
• Japan
• Jordan
• Korea Republic
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Uzbekistan

Analysis and Team Overview:

With eight direct qualification spots, Asia has seen some strong performances. Teams like Japan, IR Iran, South Korea, and Australia have consistently been powerhouses in the AFC qualifiers and have once again secured their berths, often with games to spare. Their experienced squads and tactical prowess continue to make them formidable contenders.

Qatar, as the reigning AFC Asian Cup champions, also qualified directly, showcasing their continued development in Asian football. Saudi Arabia maintained their strong presence by also qualifying.

Notably, Jordan and Uzbekistan have made history by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time. This highlights the increasing competitiveness within the AFC and the emergence of new contenders. Jordan's strong run included reaching the continental final, demonstrating their potential.

Latest News:

The AFC qualification process is dynamic, with matches continuing in the Third Round and subsequent rounds determining the remaining direct spots and the inter-confederation playoff participant. The final draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 itself was held on December 5, 2025, in Washington D.C., where the 48 qualified teams learned their group-stage challengers. Teams like Iraq and the UAE were still in contention for a playoff spot in the latter stages of the Asian qualifiers, with their matchups determining Asia's representative in the inter-confederation playoff tournament.