Asia among worst performers at World Cup 2026

Asia finished among the worst-performing confederations at the 2026 World Cup after missing out on a third last-16 place.

Iran were Asia's last chance to make it three teams in the knockout rounds, but results elsewhere ended that hope. A run of unlikely outcomes in matches including Ghana v Croatia, Congo v Uzbekistan and Algeria v Austria meant Iran did not progress.

Of Asia's nine group-stage representatives — Iran, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Iraq, Jordan, Uzbekistan and Qatar — only Japan and Australia reached the last 16. That left seven teams out in the group stage.

In the confederation performance table, Africa ranked first after nine of its 10 teams advanced. South America finished second with five of six through, while Europe was third with 13 of 16 teams progressing. North America followed with three teams in the last 16 and three eliminated in the group stage. Oceania had one representative, and that team went out in the groups.