The Asian Football Confederation [AFC] has 46 FIFA members. All 46 entered the qualifiers for the 2026 Men’s World Cup.

Eight AFC teams qualify for the 2026 Men’s World Cup, and one advances to the interconfederation playoffs. There are four phases of play prior to the playoffs.

PRELIMINARY ROUND

• 20 teams
  • Byes: 26 highest teams in FIFA rankings
• Ten pairs
• Two legs [home and away]
  • Winner decided on aggregate goals [extra time and penalties if needed; away goals tiebreaker does not apply]
• 10 teams advance to first group phase:
  • Series winners
• Remaining 10 teams eliminated

FIRST GROUP PHASE

• 36 teams
• Nine groups: 4 teams each
• Double round robin [home and away]
• 18 teams advance to final round:
  • Top two teams in each group
• Remaining 18 teams eliminated

FINAL ROUND

• 18 teams
• Three groups: 6 teams each
• Double round robin [home and away]
• 6 teams qualify for final tournament:
  • Top two teams in each group
• 6 teams advance to AFC playoffs:
  • Third and fourth placed teams in each group
• Remaining 6 teams eliminated

AFC PLAYOFFS

• Group phase:
  • 6 teams
  • Two groups: 3 teams each
  • Single round robin [one host nation per group]
  • 2 teams qualify for final tournament:
    • First placed team in each group
  • 2 teams advance to elimination phase:
    • Second placed team in each group
  • Remaining 2 teams eliminated
• Elimination phase:
  • 2 teams
  • Two legs [home and away]
    • Winner decided on aggregate goals [extra time and penalties if needed; away goals tiebreaker does not apply]
  • Winner advances to interconfederation playoffs
  • Loser eliminated