1BSPORTS 1B Sports June 13th The AFC officially announced that the host of the six team playoffs in the fourth phase of the World Cup will be Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Ignore protests from Oman, Iraq and the UAE Football Association.
AFC official announcement:
AFC has confirmed that the Qatar Football Association and the Saudi Football Association will co-sponsor the fourth phase of the Asian region of the World Cup qualifiers.
The six teams ranked third and fourth in the third stage, Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, will be divided into two groups in a concentrated competition system from October 8 to 14, 2025, and the top leaders of each group will qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The following two groups will play a two-round home and away match on November 13 and 18, 2025. The winner will represent Asia in the Intercontinental Playoffs, with opponents including 1 African team, 1 South American team, 1 Oceania team and 2 Central, North American and Caribbean teams.
The fourth phase draw ceremony is scheduled to be held on July 17, 2025.
【Fourth Stage Division】
First Level: Saudi Arabia, Qatar
Second Level: Iraq, UAE
Third Level: Oman, Indonesia