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The draw of the Joint 2022 FIFA World Cup & 2023 AFC Asian Cup – Preliminary Asian Round 2 qualifiers was held earlier today, July 17 at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.
The draw has brought-up a number of interesting qualification groups.
Team India is set to face in Group E the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts and 2019 AFC Asian Cup winners Qatar, Oman, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The group is an interesting mix of Middle eastern and South Asian sides.
The draw, conducted by FIFA Director of Competitions Christian Unger and Australian legend Tim Cahill, saw Asia’s top ranked team Iran pooled in Group C alongside Iraq, Bahrain, Hong Kong and Cambodia.
Iran will be aiming for a third consecutive appearance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, having narrowly missed on qualifying for the knockout stage in Russia 2018.
Japan, Asia’s best performers in the 2018 FIFA World Cup where they were defeated by Belgium in the Round of 16, were drawn in Group F with Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Myanmar and Mongolia.
South Korea, who have appeared in every edition of the FIFA World Cup finals since 1986, will have Lebanon, North Korea, Turkmenistan and Sri Lanka in Group H of the Asian Qualifiers.
Saudi Arabia, who defeated Egypt 2-1 to end their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign on a high, will face Uzbekistan, Palestine, Yemen and Singapore in Group D.
Australia, who became the record fifth Asian team at a FIFA World Cup finals after going through the Inter-Continental Playoff to earn a berth in Russia 2018, will go up against Jordan, Chinese Taipei, Kuwait and Nepal in Group B.
China, the host for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, will have to navigate past Syria, Philippines, Maldives and Guam in Group A their bid for a second appearance in the FIFA World Cup finals.
The eight group winners and four best runners-up will advance to the 2023 AFC Asian Cup finals in China and the final round of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The next best 24 teams from the second round of the joint qualifiers will compete in a separate competition for the remaining 12 slots in the 24-team 2023 AFC Asian Cup in China.
Joint 2022 FIFA World Cup & 2023 AFC Asian Cup – Round 2 qualifiers
Group A: China, Syria, Philippines, Maldives, Guam
Group B: Australia, Jordan, Chinese Taipei, Kuwait, Nepal
Group C: Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Cambodia
Group D: Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Palestine, Yemen, Singapore
Group E: Qatar, Oman, India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh
Group F: Japan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Myanmar, Mongolia
Group G: United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia
Group H: South Korea, Lebanon, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Sri Lanka
