AFC World Cup 2026 Qualification - 25/03/2025 Predictions
With three rounds remaining in the final phase of the AFC World Cup 2026 qualifications, Japan became the first country to qualify after beating Bahrain 2-0. However, the second and third spots are still up for grabs, with Saudi Arabia and Australia battling fiercely.
In the other groups, South Korea dropped two points at home but remained at the top of Group B. Jordan and Iraq are challenging for the next two spots. Iran may secure their ticket to the finals with a win, but the UAE and Qatar are in a heated battle for the third spot.
These AFC World Cup 2026 qualifiers predictions were based on current form, data, and expert knowledge.
AFC World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Predictions for 23/03/2025
Two teams with a history of low-scoring H2H games: Japan vs Saudi Arabia
- Date: 25/03/2025
- Kick Off: 10:35 UTC
- The last five H2H meetings between Japan and Saudi Arabia produced fewer than 2.5 goals. Japan are leading Group C with 19 points, while Saudi Arabia are third with nine.
There wasn’t any doubt about Japan’s 2-0 victory over Bahrain and securing their ticket to the WC 2026 finals. Saudi Arabia returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win over China. Their last two games ended with three or fewer goals. All of Saudi Arabia’s seven games in the qualification ended with fewer than three goals.
Japan vs Saudi Arabia Prediction: Under 3 Goals
This matchup should yield at least two goals: South Korea vs Jordan
- Date: 25/03/2025
- Kick Off: 11:00 UTC
- South Korea are leading the standings in Group B with 15 points, while Jordan are second with 15. The last three H2H meetings ended with two or more goals.
South Korea enter this match after a disappointing 1-1 draw at home with Oman on Thursday. That was the hosts’ fifth consecutive game that ended with two or more goals. Jordan, on the other hand, beat Palestine 3-1 in the previous round and leaped over Iraq to the second position. Six of Jordan’s seven games in the qualifiers ended with over two goals.
South Korea vs Jordan Prediction: Over 2 Goals
Australia travel to China, being the favorites to pick up full points: China vs Australia
- Date: 25/03/2025
- Kick Off: 11:00 UTC
- China, with six points in the sixth position, will host Australia, who are second with ten points. Australia have won three of the last four H2H meetings.
Despite being in the last position of Group C, China still have a chance to make it to the World Cup 2026 finals. Just four points separate the Chinese side from the Aussies. However, they lost two of their last four home games. Australia are undefeated on the road in the qualifications but drew them all. They are looking for their first away win since they beat Bangladesh last June.
China vs Australia Prediction: Australia to Win
Two teams are aiming to pick up points and maintain their positions: Iran vs Uzbekistan
- Date: 25/03/2025
- Kick Off: 16:00 UTC
- Top of the table in Group A, Iran with 19 points, will take on Uzbekistan, who are second with 16 points. The last five H2H meetings saw Iran go undefeated, and four of them produced under 3.5 goals.
Iran took a huge step towards the World Cup finals by beating the UAE 2-0 on Thursday. A win here will secure the hosts a ticket to next year’s finals. Uzbekistan are also close to reaching their first-ever World Cup. They need four points from the remaining three games to gain automatic qualification. Uzbekistan’s five of seven games ended with under 3.5 goals.
