![Iran](https://a3.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/soccer/500/469.png&w=64&h=64)
Iran
2nd in FIFA World Cup Qualifying - AFC2023 Schedule
![UAE](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/uae.png)
![IRN](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/irn.png)
![IRN](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/irn.png)
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![IRN](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/irn.png)
![UZB](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/uzb.png)
![HKG](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/hkg.png)
![IRN](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/irn.png)
![TKM](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/tkm.png)
![IRN](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/irn.png)
![IRN](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/irn.png)
![TKM](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/tkm.png)
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![IRN](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/irn.png)
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![IRN](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/irn.png)
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![IRN](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/irn.png)
![UAE](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/uae.png)
![HKG](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/hkg.png)
![IRN](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/irn.png)
![IRN](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/irn.png)
![PLE](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/pal.png)
![IDN](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/idn.png)
![IRN](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/irn.png)
![IRN](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/countries/500/irn.png)
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![The main talking points as the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup begins](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2024/0904/r1381783_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
There is plenty to look forward to as the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup begins on Thursday.
![The 18 teams contesting the third round of Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2024/0612/r1344788_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
18 teams are still in the hunt to reach the World Cup as the third round of Asian qualifiers kick off on Thursday.
![Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia to clash again in Asian World Cup qualifiers](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2024/0627/r1351154_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia will renew their respective rivalries in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers.
![The 18 teams advancing to the final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2024/0612/r1344788_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
With the second round of the Asian qualifiers completed, 18 teams are still in the hunt to reach the World Cup.
![South Korea held by Thailand in first game of post-Klinsmann era](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2024/0321/r1308053_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
South Korea dropped points in a draw against Thailand but still maintained their Group C lead after China failed to capitalize.
![Five things to keep an eye on as Asian qualifiers for 2026 FIFA World Cup return](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2024/0320/r1307467_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
After a four-month hiatus, the second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup returns this week -- and there's plenty to keep a close eye on.
![The gap between Asia's best and the rest has closed; World Cup will be next](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2024/0212/r1290554_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
The 2023 Asian Cup has shown that the gap between Asia's elite and the second tier has closed, and that could have a significant flow-on effect at the 2026 World Cup.
![AFC Asian Cup 2023 bracket, results and venues](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2020/0701/r714483_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
Check out all the results and venues for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, including the knockout bracket.
![Iran's golden generation might have missed their best -- and last -- shot at Asian Cup glory](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2024/0207/r1288126_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
As they bowed out of the Asian Cup, Iran's golden generation might just have missed their best chance of winning a first trophy since 1976.
![Qatar survive chaos and controversy to move one step away from retaining Asian Cup](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2024/0207/r1288094_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=680&h=272&scale=crop&location=origin)
After chaos and controversy that lasted from the first minute to the 107th, Qatar have survived against Iran to reach a second straight Asian Cup final.
WCQ - AFC Standings
# | TEAM | GP | GD | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | United Arab Emira.. | 1 | +2 | 3 |
2 | Iran | 1 | +1 | 3 |
3 | Uzbekistan | 1 | +1 | 3 |
4 | North Korea | 1 | -1 | 0 |
5 | Kyrgyz Republic | 1 | -1 | 0 |
6 | Qatar | 1 | -2 | 0 |
Team Leaders
Top Scorers
# | Player | Goals | M | A |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mehdi Taremi | 6 | 7 | 3 | |
Sardar Azmoun | 4 | 6 | 2 | |
Hossein Kanani | 2 | 5 | 0 |
Top Assists
# | Player | Assists | M | G |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mehdi Taremi | 3 | 7 | 6 | |
Sardar Azmoun | 2 | 6 | 4 | |
Mehdi Ghayedi | 2 | 4 | 1 |