The great Asian World Cup collapse

The great Asian World Cup collapse reframed a record moment for the continent into early exits at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Asia set a high bar by qualifying nine teams for the expanded tournament, its biggest-ever representation on football’s biggest stage. Instead, seven sides failed to reach the knockout rounds, and Japan’s 2-1 loss to Brazil in the Round of 32 ended what had been Asia’s strongest realistic title hope. Australia is now the lone remaining Asian team. Of the nine AFC entrants, only Japan and Australia advanced past the group stage. South Korea, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, and Uzbekistan all missed the knockout phase. The article points to an increasingly financial growth for Asian football, but highlights a gap in match intensity, physicality, and tactical speed versus Europe. It contrasts Asia’s struggles with Africa’s momentum, citing Morocco’s progression after eliminating the Netherlands.