Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said he had learned the lessons of previous struggles in the early matches of the final round in Asia’s FIFA World Cup qualifying to lead the Samurai Blue to a resounding 7-0 victory over China PR at Saitama Stadium on Thursday.

Islamic Republic of Iran made a winning start to their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A campaign but head coach Amir Ghalenoei feels more is needed if his side are to make a fourth successive FIFA World Cup appearance.

Paulo Bento heaped praise on his United Arab Emirates players after they showed tremendous fighting spirit to claw their way back from a losing position to stun Qatar 3-1 in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A clash on Thursday.

The finishing line is in sight for 18 of the Continent’s national teams as they prepare to resume their qualifying journey for the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday.

Uzbekistan laboured to a 1-0 win over DPR Korea in their opening AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A match at Bunyodkor Stadium on Thursday.

Six nations will battle it out in the playoffs to reach the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round with the first leg matches set to take place on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia have a perfect record to maintain when they kickstart their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group C campaign against Indonesia at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Thursday.

A new era begins with Jamal Sellami in charge of his first match when Jordan take on Kuwait in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B tie on Thursday.

Islamic Republic of Iran head into the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 2026 with high expectations, having secured qualification for the past three editions of the FIFA World Cup by topping their group.

DPR Korea showed their title ambitions with an emphatic 6-2 win over Argentina in Group F of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Colombia 2024 on Monday.