In the first stage, the team ranked last in the world 18 drew lots for two rounds of home and away games. Nine winning teams entered the second stage and participated in the top 36 matches with the top 27 teams in Asia. They are divided into nine groups, each with four teams. After the home and away games, the top two in the group advanced to the third stage.
The third stage is the most crucial competition, that is, the previous 12 tournament has become a 18 tournament, and the teams of 18 are divided into three groups with 6 teams in each group. After the home and away games, the top two in the group directly advanced to the 2026 World Cup.
At this stage, the six teams ranked third and fourth in the group entered the fourth stage, and the six teams were divided into two groups. Three teams in each group play in a single round, and the group first directly advances to the 2026 World Cup. The two teams in the second place decided the winner through the play-offs, and the winning team represented Asia in the intercontinental play-offs of the World Cup.
The significance of the 2026 world preliminaries
This is a direct reflection of the level of football in various countries. The fierce competition in the qualifiers will prompt countries to improve their football level in order to qualify for the World Cup. This kind of competition will stimulate players' fighting spirit and potential, and promote the development of football on a global scale.
The qualifiers will provide a stage for countries to show their own strength. By playing against teams from different countries and regions, countries can understand their position in the international football arena and the gap with other countries. This comparison helps countries to find their own advantages and disadvantages, and then formulate corresponding strategies and plans to improve their own strength.
The qualifiers will also bring huge economic benefits to the football world. With the progress of the competition, the popularity of teams and players in various countries will increase, thus attracting more sponsors and investors to pay attention to the football field. This will bring more business opportunities and income sources to the football industry and promote the sustainable development of football.