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Agence France-Presse

Japan can take a major step towards the 2026 World Cup over the next week if they can negotiate away tests at Indonesia and China in the space of five days.
Son Heung-min’s South Korea will also look to close in on a spot at the showpiece in North America as they travel to Kuwait on Thursday and then face Palestine in Jordan next week.
Meanwhile, Herve Renard, who masterminded a famous victory over eventual champions Argentina at the Qatar World Cup, takes charge of Saudi Arabia for the first time since returning to the job.
An estimated 78,000 will pack out the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, in hope of seeing the hosts pull off a shock on Friday.
Hajime Moriyasu’s Japan will then need to face down another hostile crowd when they travel to Xiamen on Tuesday to play China.

“If you look at the Fifa rankings and the games in the World Cup qualifiers so far, you might think that the advantage is with Japan,” coach Moriyasu said.
“But we are playing both games away and I think it will be tough.”
With the third Asian qualifying round nearing the halfway point, Japan are five points clear at the top of Group C from Australia and Saudi Arabia, who face each other on Thursday.
The top two from each of the three groups go straight to the World Cup.
China and Indonesia occupy the bottom two spots in Group C but are not out of the reckoning as teams finishing third and fourth will advance to a further qualifying stage.
Moriyasu has called up Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi for the first time in a year after first-choice striker Ayase Ueda was injured.

Australia host Saudi Arabia in Melbourne with both nations on five points after four games.
The Socceroos then travel to Bahrain the following Tuesday when the Saudis will play in Indonesia.
Frenchman Renard, 56, is back for a second spell with Saudi Arabia following the sacking last month of Roberto Mancini.
Like Japan, South Korea are on course for 2026, three points clear at the top of Group B.
They welcome back captain and talisman Son after he missed victories over Iraq and Asian Cup runners-up Jordan last month with a hamstring injury.
Coach Hong Myung-bo has hinted that he may manage the 32-year-old forward’s workload by restricting his playing time against the bottom two teams in the group, Kuwait and Palestine.

“People say the next two opponents are underdogs, but I think these will be extremely tough matches,” said Hong.
“I can absolutely say these matches will be even more important than the ones we played in October,” he added.
Iran lead Uzbekistan on goal difference at the top of Group A, six points clear of the United Arab Emirates in third.
It will be top against bottom when Iran take on North Korea in the Laotian capital Vientiane on Thursday.
Uzbekistan visit Asian champions Qatar, who lie fourth following a slow start to the third qualifying stage, while the UAE host fifth-placed Kyrgyzstan.


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Fifa

Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Japan, South Korea face away tests on road to North America

At least 78,000 Indonesian spectators will pack out Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium and watch on electric screens outside in the hope their team pull off a shock on Friday against Japan. Photo: AFP

Son Heung-Min (second from left) missed South Korea’s past two matches with an injury. Photo: Xinhua

Herve Renard is back for a second spell with Saudi Arabia after Roberto Mancini was sacked. Photo: Reuters

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has called up Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi for the first time in a year. Photo: Kyodo

World Cup 2026: Asian football body takes Bahrain concerns ‘seriously’ after death threats

Bahrain and Indonesia players clash after the match at the Bahrain National Stadium last week. Photo: Reuters

Referee Ahmed Al-Kaf with police after the match, which Indonesia complained had gone on too long. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong star vowing to provide ‘more aggression’, help team up climb Fifa world rankings

Jesse Yu (right) is beginning to establish himself in Hong Kong’s midfield. Photo: Elson Li

Yu (left) is an integral part of the Eastern side doing battle on multiple fronts this season. Photo: Eastern FC

The grounded Yu tries to protect the ball during Eastern’s ACL2 game with Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Photo: Elson Li

Women’s World Cup: talent, toil and pleasing Kim Jong-un bring North Korea football glory

North Korea won the Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 by beating Spain on penalties in the final in the Dominican Republic on Saturday. Photo: AFP

North Korea’s under-17 side was described by a Spanish opponent as a “very intense team”. Photo: AFP

Winger Jon Il-Chong (left) won the Golden Ball for best player of the under-17 competition. Photo: EPA-EFE

Choe Il-son (right), was top scorer – and named best player – at the under-20 event. Photo: EPA-EFE

South Korea’s Son no longer best footballer in Asia as experts crown Akram Afif king

Akram Afif has been recognised for a fabulous 2024 with the Best Footballer in Asia crown. Photo: Reuters

Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo is waiting for his first Best Footballer in Asia prize. Photo: AP

Son Heung-min’s seven-year reign as Best Footballer in Asia has been ended by Qatari Afif. Photo: AFP

World Cup 2026: coach Branko Ivankovic thanks players, fans after China snap losing streak

A fan waves China’s national flag to celebrate their team’s win against Indonesia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification match in Qingdao on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Branko Ivankovic (front right) celebrates with his China team after beating Indonesia 2-1. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Zhang Yuning scores his team’s second goal past Indonesia’s goalkeeper Maarten Paes. Photo: Reuters

Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma (left) reacts after Australian Cameron Burgess’ own goal in their 1-1 draw. Photo: Kyodo

Sport

Football

The Japanese face still-in-contention bottom sides Indonesia and China, while the Koreans welcome back Son Heung-min


The Japanese face still-in-contention bottom sides Indonesia and China, while the Koreans welcome back Son Heung-min.


Fifa World Cup 2026

Asian Football Confederation (AFC)