Iraq and Australia Secure World Cup Preliminary Advancement, South Korea Edges Closer
Iraq and Australia stamped their tickets to the third round of Asia’s 2026 World Cup preliminaries on Tuesday with commanding victories over the Philippines and Lebanon, respectively. Meanwhile, South Korea inched closer to progression with a convincing 3-0 win against Thailand.
READ: OAS to Step in as Mediator in Guatemala’s Power Transition Crisis
Iraq and Australia
In Manila, Iraq secured their fourth consecutive victory as Jesus Casas’ squad delivered a resounding 5-0 triumph over the Philippines. Aymen Hussein netted twice in the first half, flanking a goal from Amir Ali Ammari. Former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal and Zayed Tahseen sealed the victory with goals in the 61st and 77th minutes, respectively.
The win propelled Iraq to 12 points in Group F, establishing a nine-point lead over third-placed Vietnam, who suffered a significant 3-0 defeat against Indonesia in Hanoi. Indonesia’s victory bolsters their chances of advancing to the next round as Shin Tae-yong’s team solidifies their grip on second place in the group, ahead of Vietnam, with two games remaining. Jay Noah Idzes, Rangar Oratmangoen, and Muhammad Sananta found the net for Indonesia in the crucial win.
With the top two teams from each of the nine groups progressing to the next round, the race intensifies for Asia’s eight guaranteed berths at the expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026.
In Canberra, Australia secured their advancement from Group I with a flawless 5-0 victory over Lebanon, courtesy of Craig Goodwin’s brace. The Socceroos now boast maximum points from four games. Meanwhile, Palestine sits in second place in the group after a 1-0 win against Bangladesh, extending their lead over third-placed Lebanon with a crucial victory.
In Group C, South Korea bounced back from a disappointing draw against Thailand with a commanding 3-0 win in Bangkok. Lee Jae-sung, Son Heung-min, and Park Jin-seop were on target for the South Koreans, securing a crucial victory. China also claimed a 4-1 win against Singapore, moving into second place in the group with seven points from four games.
As the journey to the World Cup continues, each match becomes increasingly vital for teams vying for a spot in the prestigious tournament.
