By: Gil Moriones
CALOOCAN CITY --- Out of the record-high nine Asian teams that qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, only Japan and Australia have progressed to the Round of 32 as the hopes of the Korea Republic and Iran were officially dashed tonight after their closest third-place competitors, DR Congo and Algeria, secured the crucial points needed in their final group stage matches.
An already-eliminated Uzbekistan threatened to spoil DR Congo's party early on after Eldor Shomurodov scored in the 10th minute. However, Yoane Wissa stepped up for the Leopards with a brilliant brace, while Fiston Mayele scored, sealed a 3-1 victory over the debutants.
Finishing with four points from a perfectly balanced win-draw-loss record, DR Congo officially booted out the South Koreans.
The Taeguk Warriors were left with just three points from one win and two losses following their failed mission against South Africa in the Group A finale.
Iran, who a slight better position than South Korea, were also knocked out of contention by Algeria after the African side played out a dramatic and sensational 3-3 draw against Austria.
Team Melli exited the tournament with three points, accumulated from three hard-fought draws against Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt.
Japan will face the five-time champions Brazil on Wednesday while Australia will battle against Egypt on Saturday for the Round of 32.
This outcome stands in stark contrast to the 2022 World Cup, where Japan, Australia, and South Korea all famously progressed to the Round of 16—a historic high for a continent that has traditionally struggled to navigate the group stages, highlighted by the 2014 edition where no Asian team reached the knockout rounds.
