Iran qualified for the 2026 World Cup after a draw with Uzbekistan, marking its fourth consecutive appearance. Australia secured a critical win against China, advancing closer to qualification. South Korea, although leading in Group B, dropped points in a draw with Jordan.

Iran has successfully qualified for the 2026 World Cup following a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan. Mehdi Taremi, the Inter Milan striker, scored both goals for Iran, securing the necessary point with his second goal in the 83rd minute. This achievement marks Iran’s fourth consecutive World Cup appearance and its seventh overall. The upcoming tournament will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Meanwhile, Australia made significant progress toward securing its spot at the World Cup after defeating China 2-0 in Hangzhou. First-half goals from Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay solidified the Socceroos’ position while simultaneously ending China’s hopes for automatic qualification. With two games remaining in Group C, Australia leads by three points over third-placed Saudi Arabia, which managed a goalless draw against Japan.

The top two teams from each of the three Asian groups will automatically qualify, while teams finishing third and fourth will enter another round for additional berths. Irvine, who scored twice in a recent match against Indonesia, opened the scoring within 16 minutes against China. Following this, Velupillay’s shot was mishandled by Chinese goalkeeper Wang Dalei, leading to a second goal.

As for China, their plight continues as they remain at the bottom of the group, yet to return to the World Cup since their debut in 2002. Saudi Arabia still holds aspirations for a seventh appearance after a resilient draw against Japan, despite dominating the match yet failing to score.

In Group B, South Korea maintained its lead but slipped by dropping two points in a 1-1 draw with Jordan. Lee Jae-sung scored early for South Korea, but Jordan equalized with a goal from Mahmoud Al-Mardi. South Korea sits at 16 points, three ahead of Jordan, while Iraq, competing against Palestine later, holds third with 12 points.

In summary, Iran’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup highlights its consistent performance in international football, while Australia’s victory over China positions it favorably for qualification. The dynamics of Group C remain competitive, with Saudi Arabia still in contention. South Korea’s recent draw has introduced uncertainty in Group B, as they remain at the top yet face significant challenges ahead.

Original Source: www.espn.com

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