World Cup Qualifiers: Standings of the Asian teams

Son Heung-Min of South Korea
Son Heung-Min of South Korea - IMAGO / Penta Press

We are halfway through the third round of the Asian section of the World Cup Qualifiers. Here are the positions of the teams at the moment.

Qualification scenario

Being the host nation, Qatar have secured their place for World Cup 2022. Besides them, 4 teams will enter into the World Cup after three rounds and the fifth team will have to play in the inter-confederation playoff.

The first round was contested by 12 teams, ranked between 35 and 46, in home and away legs, with six progressing to the next round.

The winners of the first round joined the top 36 ranked teams in the second round. They were divided into eight groups, with winners of each group and four best-placed runners up moving to the third round.

The third round is being contested by 12 teams, who are separated into two groups. The top two teams of each group will secure direct qualification to the World Cup.

The third-placed teams from each group will face a one-off tie in the fourth round and the winner will enter into the inter-confederation playoff.

Standings of the teams in the third round

Group A

PositionTeamsPlayed WonDrawLostPoints
1Iran651016
2South Korea642014
3UAE61326
4Lebanon61235
5Iraq60424
6Syria60242

Group B 

PositionTeamsPlayedWonDrawLostPoints
1Saudi Arabia651016
2Japan640212
3Australia632111
4Oman62137
5China61235
6Vietnam60060

Group A – Iran and South Korea poised to secure World Cup Qualification

In Group A, there is a huge gulf between the top two sides, Iran and South Korea, and the rest of the teams.

However, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Iraq are in contention for the third spot, which will take them to the next round.

Group B – Socceroos and Japan to battle for the second spot, Saudi in the driver seat

Saudi Arabia have been impressive in the third round so far and sit at the top of the table, four points clear of second-placed Japan.

The Socceroos, who were excellent in the previous round, have struggled to replicate the similar form in the last few games. They will face a tight battle with Japan to seal second place in Group B.

Socceroos’ remaining fixtures

  • Vs Vietnam
  • Vs Oman
  • Vs Japan
  • Vs Saudi Arabia

Japan’s remaining fixtures

  • Vs China
  • Vs Saudi Arabia
  • Vs Australia
  • Vs Vietnam