The draws for the first two rounds of AFC qualifiers for the 2026 Men’s World Cup – the preliminary round and the first group phase – were held on THU 27 JUL 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. All 46 AFC members that are also FIFA members entered the competition, with the top 26 earning a bye into the first group phase.

The preliminary round involves the twenty lowest ranked teams, drawn into ten pairs. Each pair will play on a home and away basis in OCT 2023. The aggregate winners advance to the next round.

The 26 seeded teams join the ten preliminary round winners in the first group phase. There, they compete in nine groups of four teams each, starting in NOV 2023. After each team has played each other team in their group twice, the top two teams in each group advance to the final round.

The 18 teams that reach the final round also qualify automatically for the 2027 Men’s Asian Cup. The eliminated teams will have another opportunity to qualify in a separate competition to be held during the final round.

• Preliminary round:
  • Series 1: Afghanistan-Mongolia
  • Series 2: Maldives-Bangladesh
  • Series 3: Singapore-Guam
  • Series 4: Yemen-Sri Lanka
  • Series 5: Myanmar-Macao
  • Series 6: Cambodia-Pakistan
  • Series 7: Chinese Taipei-Timor-Leste
  • Series 8: Indonesia-Brunei Darussalam
  • Series 9: Hong Kong-Bhutan
  • Series 10: Nepal-Laos
• First group phase:
  • Group A: India, Kuwait, Qatar, Winner AFG-MGL
  • Group B: Japan, Korea DPR, Syria, Winner MYA-MAC
  • Group C: China PR, Korea Rep, Thailand, Winner SIN-GUM
  • Group D: Kyrgyz Rep, Malaysia, Oman, Winner TPE-TLS
  • Group E: Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Winner HKG-BHU
  • Group F: Iraq, Philippines, Vietnam, Winner IDN-BRU
  • Group G: Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Winner CAM-PAK
  • Group H: Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Winner NEP-LAO, Winner YEM-SRI
  • Group I: Australia, Lebanon, Palestine, Winner MDV-BAN