8 Likely Asian Teams to Watch in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be the biggest one ever— not just because of the record number of teams, but because we’re seeing some major shifts in the balance of power. When it comes to Asian squads, things are changing fast. Traditionally, we’ve always looked at Japan, South Korea, and Australia as the top dogs on the continent. But what’s going on with the rest? There are countries that barely made a dent in the qualifiers a few years back, and now they’re legit contenders for a spot in the world’s biggest soccer tournament.

First up, let’s talk about Bahrain. Yep, you read that right. If you told me ten years ago that Bahrain would have a real shot at making it to a World Cup, I would’ve laughed and told you to double-check the stats. But hey, soccer's unpredictable. Bahrain is one of those stories that show what hard work and investment can do for a small nation with big dreams. If it weren’t for a bit of bad luck in past qualifiers, they might’ve already punched their ticket to a World Cup. In 2026, that dream is more alive than ever.

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Now, of course, Japan and South Korea are still the giants of the region. These two are always in the conversation. They’ve got experience, tradition, and tactical discipline that makes any opponent uncomfortable. But this time around, the road to the World Cup isn’t going to be as smooth as it used to be. Other Asian teams aren’t messing around, and the competition is getting tighter.

Speaking of challenges, we can’t ignore Iran. Despite all the issues they face on and off the field, Iran’s national team remains strong and is one of the favorites to make it to the 2026 World Cup. The team’s got the technique, grit, and a passionate fanbase pushing them through every match. They’ve been to World Cups before, and they always show up ready for battle, no matter how tough the circumstances. If we take a close look, Iran has what it takes to be more than just a participant in the next tournament.

And let’s talk about the new kids with deep pockets. The United Arab Emirates has been pouring big money into becoming a force in soccer. They’ve got cash, infrastructure, they’re bringing in top coaches, and they’re developing a level of soccer that, until recently, didn’t even make the bigger teams in Asia flinch. But now? The story’s changed. The money’s flowing, they’re investing in youth development, and the UAE is starting to stand up to the more traditional powerhouses. The team is in that transition phase between being a promise and becoming a reality, and 2026 could be the moment where it all clicks.

We can’t forget Saudi Arabia. This is a team that pops up in World Cups now and then but never really with the hype of a team that’s gonna make a huge splash. Well, if there’s one thing this team knows how to do, it’s surprise people. What a lot of folks don’t see is that they’ve been strengthening their foundations, and with the recent wave of big-name players and coaches arriving in the country, the level of their local soccer is going up fast.

And speaking of strong leagues and teams on the rise, we’ve gotta mention Australia, right? Even though it’s not technically part of Asia geographically, they play in the Asian qualifiers, and it’d be a crime not to include the Socceroos on this list of favorites for the World Cup. They always show up ready to compete, and 2026 won’t be any different.

Finally, we’ve got Iraq. This is a team that carries the weight of a nation torn apart by wars and conflict, but they find hope and belief in soccer. It’s no exaggeration to say Iraqi soccer has its own mystique. The team’s strong, they’ve got grit, and despite all the struggles, they remain one of the favorites in the qualifiers. Iraq heads into the World Cup with a sense that they’ve got way more to prove than most people are expecting.

If I had to call it, I’d say these qualifiers are gonna be the most competitive Asia has ever seen. The balance of power has shifted, and the traditional kings of Asian soccer are gonna have to work twice as hard to lock down their spots. For teams like Japan and South Korea, things aren’t going to be as easy anymore, and new faces like Bahrain and the UAE are ready to steal the show.