Kolkata : Uzbekistan and Jordan qualified for the men’s World Cup for the first time on Thursday (June 5, 2025), while South Korea sealed its 11th straight appearance.
Uzbekistan Qualification –
Uzbekistan tied 0-0 against UAE in their home ground Abu Dhabi to take the second automatic qualification spot in Group A behind Iran with a game to spare in World Cup 2026 Qualifie. One of the key figures in Uzbekistan’s qualification was their goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov , who made numerous close saves.
As well as the six automatic qualifiers from Asia, the UAE and Qatar, who defeated the already-qualified Iran 1-0, will finish third and fourth and advance to the next stage, where six teams will compete for two more places at the 2026 World Cup.
South Korea earn 11 consecutive World Cup qualification
In Group B, South Korea won 2-0 in Iraq to clinch its place. The Taeguk Warriors were helped by Ali Al-Hamadi’s first-half red card, given to the Ipswich Town striker for a high kick.Kim Jin-gyu put Korea ahead just after the hour, and the victory was sealed by Oh Hyeon-gyu eight minutes from the end.
Jordan earn maiden World Cup qualification
Jordan hammered Oman 3-0 , with Ali Olwan’s hattrick, before South Korea’s win. This was enough for them to earn maiden qualification in World Cup in their 11th attempt.
The Palestinian team stayed in contention for the top four with a 2-0 win over Kuwait.
Group C saw China eliminated after a 1-0 loss to Indonesia in Jakarta. A first-half penalty from Ole Romeny was enough to keep out China, whose sole appearance was in 2002 Indonesia, coached by Patrick Kluivert, took the lead just before the break when Romeny converted from the penalty spot.
Elsewhere in the group, a last-minute goal from Aziz Behich gave Australia a 1-0 win over Japan, already qualified, in Perth to put the Socceroos within touching distance of a sixth straight World Cup appearance.
In the 90th minute, Riley McGree broke free down the right and pulled back for Behich to curl home to bring Perth Stadium to its feet and give Australia its first win over Japan in 16 years.
