Draws for Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifiers and Asian Games 2023: India, Australia, Japan, South Korea, China learn fate
- Japan meet North Korea in men’s World Cup qualifiers, while China face South Korea, India tackle Qatar and Australia take on Palestine
- Women’s draw for Asian Games hands Hong Kong a tough pool with Women’s World Cup sides South Korea and Philippines, and men’s draw produces China v India clash
The draw has been made for the men’s Fifa World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, and for the women’s and men’s group stages of this year’s Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The Asian Games will take place from September 23 to October 8.
They will be followed by qualifiers that will determine who progresses to both the men’s Fifa World Cup and AFC Asian Cup, with the first round starting on October 12 and the group phase beginning on November 16.
Men’s Fifa World Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers
China were drawn against South Korea in Group C, while Australia will take on Palestine in Group I. In Group B, Japan were placed with North Korea.
Group A: Afghanistan v Mongolia in first round. Winners progress to Group A with Qatar, India, Kuwait.
Group B: Myanmar v Macau in first round. Winners progress to Group B with Japan, Syria and North Korea.
Group C: Singapore v Guam in first round. Winners progress to Group C with South Korea, China and Thailand.