AFC Teams Shine in FIFA World Cup 2026 with Unbeaten Streak

AFC Teams Impress at FIFA World Cup 2026

Inglewood [US], June 16: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) teams have demonstrated their competitive spirit at the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, with all six teams that have participated so far remaining undefeated.

Out of the nine AFC teams (Australia, Iraq, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan), six have kicked off their campaigns, achieving two victories and four draws against formidable opponents.

On the tournament's opening day, South Korea staged a comeback to defeat Czechia 2-1 in an exciting Group A match, securing three crucial points at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Mexico.

After a scoreless first half filled with opportunities for both teams, Czechia took the lead just before the hour mark with a header from captain Ladislav Krejci. South Korea quickly equalized through Hwang In-beom, and substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu netted the winner late in the game.

Despite facing pressure from Czechia and several key saves from both goalkeepers, South Korea managed to hold on for the win, enhancing their standing in the group ahead of their next match against Mexico.

Two days later, Qatar, ranked 49th, achieved their first-ever FIFA World Cup points with a late equalizer securing a 1-1 draw against 19th-ranked Switzerland at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

Switzerland controlled much of the match, creating numerous chances but failing to convert, with missed opportunities from Dan Ndoye and others proving costly. Breel Embolo had given Switzerland the lead with a penalty in the first half.

Qatar also missed early opportunities, but Boualem Khoukhi leveled the score with a powerful header in stoppage time, ensuring both teams shared the points.

On the same day, Australia commenced their World Cup journey with a solid 2-0 victory over Turkey in Vancouver.

Teenager Nestory Irankunda made history as the youngest Australian to score at a World Cup, finishing a well-executed move in the first half. Turkey had several early chances but were thwarted by debutant goalkeeper Patrick Beach, who made eight saves to maintain a clean sheet.

Australia secured their win in the 75th minute when Connor Metcalfe scored from distance, giving them strong momentum heading into their next Group D match against co-hosts the United States.

Japan delivered an impressive performance, drawing 2-2 against the Netherlands, ranked eighth. Daichi Kamada scored a late equalizer in the 88th minute to salvage a point for Japan.

The Netherlands initially took the lead early in the second half through Virgil van Dijk, but Japan quickly responded with an equalizer from Keito Nakamura. Crysencio Summerville restored the Dutch lead in the 64th minute after a tightly contested match.

Despite the Netherlands dominating possession and creating more chances, Japan held firm and struck late to ensure both sides shared the points.

In another match, Saudi Arabia managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Uruguay in Miami. Saudi Arabia took the lead just before halftime with a goal from Abdulelah Al-Amri after withstanding early pressure from Uruguay.

Uruguay dominated possession and created more chances but were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais. Their persistence paid off in the 80th minute when Maximiliano Araujo scored the equalizer after an initial header from Federico Vinas was saved.

Despite Uruguay's strong attacking display, the match ended in a draw, with both teams sharing the points in Group H.

In the latest encounter, Iran and New Zealand played to an entertaining 2-2 draw in their World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. New Zealand took an early lead through Elijah Just, but Iran equalized via Ramin Rezaeian before halftime.

New Zealand regained the advantage in the second half with Just's second goal, set up by Chris Wood, but Iran responded again with Mohammad Mohebbi's header to level the score, resulting in both teams sharing the points in a tightly contested Group G match.

The results so far indicate that AFC nations, often perceived as underdogs, are capable of competing effectively against established European and South American teams, who are finding no easy victories.

However, the AFC's unbeaten streak in this World Cup may face a challenge, as Iraq is set to play against Norway on Tuesday (local time), while Jordan and Uzbekistan will enter their matches as underdogs against Austria and Colombia, respectively.