Four talking points from dramatic week of Asian World Cup qualifiers
AUSTRALIA: Remember when critics of FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams claimed it would spell the end of the qualifying stages?
Iraq Sport News
India To Play Thailand, Mongolia, Timor Leste, Iraq In AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers
The India senior women's team were on Thursday drawn alongside Thailand, Mongolia, Timor Leste, and Iraq in Group B of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers. The draw was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur. Thailand will host Group B of the Qualifiers between June 23 to July 5 in a centralised single round-robin format. The group winners will qualify for the final tournament, scheduled to be staged across three host cities in Australia from March 1 to 26, 2026.
Son blames bad pitches as South Korea slip up in World Cup qualifying
Son Heung-min blamed South Korea’s shoddy pitches for their 2026 World Cup qualifying struggles after a 1-1 draw with Jordan left them sweating on an automatic place at the tournament.
Iran qualify for 2026 World Cup
Perennial World Cup participants Iran became the second Asian side to secure their place at next year’s global showpiece after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Uzbekistan in Tehran on Tuesday.
South Korea's Son bemoans poor pitches after another World Cup home draw
SEOUL : Captain Son Heung-min believes poor pitches have contributed to South Korea's stuttering World Cup qualifying campaign after the Taeguk Warriors were held to two home 1-1 draws in the March international window.
Son Heung-Min Blames Bad Pitches As South Korea Slip Up In World Cup Qualifying
Son Heung-min blamed South Korea's shoddy pitches for their 2026 World Cup qualifying struggles after a 1-1 draw with Jordan left them sweating on an automatic place at the tournament. The Koreans were held at home for a second game in a row on Tuesday after also drawing with Oman last week and hold a precarious lead at the top of Asian qualifying Group B with an away trip to third-placed Iraq still to come. South Korea's two qualifiers in March were moved away from Seoul because of the capital stadium's poor pitch but skipper Son said the turf was still below par and took aim at his country's football administrators.
4,000-year-old tablets found in Iraq reveal ancient red tape
A discovery in southern Iraq has given us a rare glimpse into the world of ancient bureaucracy. Researchers from the British Museum and Iraq have unearthed over 200 clay cuneiform tablets and 60 seals, offering a detailed record of the early Akkadian empire.
Defender Kim out of South Korea squad with Achilles tendon injury
Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae has been dropped from the South Korea squad ahead of their home World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Jordan due to an Achilles tendon injury, the Korean Football Association said on Saturday.