Iran Qualifies for 2026 World Cup; Australia Advances with Victory Over China
Iran qualifies for the 2026 World Cup with a draw against Uzbekistan, while Australia moves closer to qualification after defeating China. South Korea stays on top of Group B despite a draw against Jordan. Teams are competing fiercely for spots in the upcoming tournament, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Iran secured its qualification for the 2026 World Cup after a decisive 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan, with both goals scored by Mehdi Taremi. His second goal came in the 83rd minute, ensuring Iran’s place in their seventh World Cup and fourth consecutive appearance. The upcoming tournament, featuring 48 teams, will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Australia has also strengthened its chances for qualification, achieving a 2-0 victory over China in Hangzhou, effectively eliminating the hosts from automatic qualification. Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay netted the goals in the first half, putting Australia three points ahead of third-placed Saudi Arabia, which drew 0-0 against Japan. In Asia’s third round, the top two teams from each group will secure qualification, while others will compete for additional spots.
Irvine’s impressive performance included scoring twice in a previous match against Indonesia. He opened the scoring in just 16 minutes against China, followed by Velupillay, whose shot slipped past goalkeeper Wang Dalei. China remains at the bottom of the group and has not qualified for the World Cup since its debut in 2002.
In Group B, South Korea maintained its top spot despite dropping points in a 1-1 draw against Jordan. Lee Jae-sung gave South Korea an early lead, but Jordan equalized thanks to a deflected shot from Mahmoud Al-Mardi. South Korea holds 16 points, three ahead of Jordan, while Iraq, contesting against Palestine, ranks third with 12 points.
The competitive landscape in Asian qualifiers remains intense, as several teams vie for limited World Cup spots, showcasing the region’s growing football prowess.
In summary, Iran has qualified for the 2026 World Cup, continuing their football legacy, while Australia is on a promising path after defeating China. The top teams in Asia are intensely contesting for World Cup positions, illustrated by South Korea’s tight standings atop Group B. As the qualifiers progress, the stakes remain high for teams aiming to secure their place in this momentous tournament.
Original Source: www.espn.com.sg
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