2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (Asia): Round 2 Matchday 2 round-up

India got decimated by Qatar’s brilliance in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on November 21.

Matchday 2 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (Asia) was a high-action sequence of exciting and top quality football, that witnessed national teams of the highest quality spread across the continent compete for a place in the ultimate competition in the sporting world - the FIFA World Cup. 

With gripping fixtures like Qatar’s visit to India, China’s hosting of South Korea, and Uzbekistan's clash with Iran, matchday 2 was bound to deliver unmatched joy and exhilaration to the onlookers. 

In group A, Qatar crippled a high-flying India, who as a result of their defensive instability, succumbed to the Qatari resilience. The other fixture saw Afghanistan get thrashed yet again, as Kuwait handed them a 4-0 defeat at home and rose to second in their group. This result also saw India dropped to the third spot, courtesy of an inferior goal difference. 

Group B witnessed goals galore in both its fixtures, with North Korea registering a 6-1 win against Myanmar, and a thumping 5-0 victory for Asian royalty Japan away at Syria. 

South Korea and Thailand both scored three past their opponents, China and Singapore respectively, as the two nations showcased their attacking abilities to the fullest in Group C.

The action in group D was gripping, as two neck ties saw Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan register narrow wins against Chinese Taipei and Oman, respectively. 

In group E, Uzbekistan showed great intent and endeavour against Iran, as they put up an incredible second half comeback, to share points from 2-0 down at half time. Hong Kong and Turkmenistan also played out a 2-2 draw, and opened their account in the qualifiers. 

Group F saw Iraq get their second straight victory, as they bagged a narrow win against Vietnam, who demonstrated incredible resilience to hold back the middle-eastern side until the final minute of the game. On the other hand, Philippines and Indonesia shared spoils with a 1-1 draw.

In group G, Pakistan were thrashed by Tajikistan 6-1 at home, whereas Saudi Arabia registered a comfortable 2-0 away win against Jordan. 

United Arab Emirates and Yemen both earned a comfortable 2-0 win in group H, with away wins against Bahrain and Nepal, respectively. 

Finally in group H, the Aussies fetched a slender 1-0 win against Palestine, courtesy of Harry Soutter’s goal, whereas Bangladesh got their first point of the qualifiers after an impressive draw against Lebanon. 

Results from 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (Asia): Matchday 2 

Myanmar 1-6 Korea DPR (Group B) 

Singapore 1-3 Thailand (Group C) 

China PR 0-3 Korea Republic (Group C)

Chinese Taipei 0-1 Malaysia (Group D) 

Hong Kong 2-2 Turkmenistan (Group E) 

Philippines 1-1 Indonesia (Group F)

Vietnam 0-1 Iraq (Group F)

Pakistan 1-6 Tajikistan (Group G) - Match Report

Bangladesh 1-1 Lebanon (Group I) - Match Report

India 0-3 Qatar (Group A) - Match Report

Nepal 0-2 Yemen (Group H) - Match Report

Uzbekistan 2-2 IR Iran (Group E)

Palestine 0-1 Australia (Group I)

Kyrgyz Republic 1-0 Oman (Group D)

Syria 0-5 Japan (Group B)

Bahrain 0-2 United Arab Emirates (Group H) 

Jordan 0-2 Saudi Arabia (Group G) 

Afghanistan 0-4 Kuwait (Group A) - Match Report