The 2026 FIFA World Cup is barely underway, and the Asian Football Confederation has already rewritten the script. Through the opening round of matches, AFC teams have not lost a single game, collecting points off European opponents in what amounts to one of the most impressive continental starts in tournament history.
South Korea beat the Czech Republic. Australia took down Turkey. Japan held the Netherlands to a draw. Qatar managed the same against Switzerland.
A record nine Asian teams on the biggest stage
The expanded World Cup format has been kind to Asia, granting a record nine spots to AFC nations. That’s a massive jump from previous tournaments, where the continent typically sent four or five representatives.
Japan set the tone early by becoming the first nation globally to clinch qualification back in May 2026 during the AFC qualifiers.
