| Qualification | : | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| Round | : | AFC third round |
| Edition | : | 23rd |
| Dates | : | 5 September 2024 – 10 June 2025 |
| Teams | : | 18 |
| Groups | : | 3 |
| Total matches | : | 90 |
| Qualified teams | : | 6 |
| Next round | : | AFC forth round |
The
third round of AFC matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification will be played from 5 September 2024 to 10 June 2025. The eighteen teams that advanced from the second round (nine group winners and nine group runners-up) will be divided into three groups of six teams. The teams will play against each other on a home-and-away basis.
Qualified teams
| No. | Team | Method of qualification | Date of qualification |
|---|
| 1 | | Hosts | 1 2023 |
| 2 | | Second round Group I winners | 26 2024 |
| 3 | | Second round Group F winners | 26 2024 |
| 4 | | Second round Group E winners | 26 2024 |
| 5 | | Second round Group E runners-up | 26 2024 |
| 6 | | Second round Group A winners | 26 2024 |
| 7 | | Second round Group H winners | 26 2024 |
| 8 | | Second round Group B winners | 2 2024 |
| 9 | | Second round Group C winners | 6 2024 |
| 10 | | Second round Group D winners | 6 2024 |
| 11 | | Second round Group I runners-up | 6 2024 |
| 12 | | Second round Group H runners-up | 6 2024 |
| 13 | | Second round Group G winners | 6 2024 |
| 14 | | Second round Group C runners-up | 11 2024 |
| 15 | | Second round Group F runners-up | 11 2024 |
| 16 | | Second round Group B runners-up | 11 2024 |
| 17 | | Second round Group A runners-up | 11 2024 |
| 18 | | Second round Group D runners-up | 11 2024 |
|
|---|
Groups
The top two teams of each group will qualify directly for the
2026 FIFA World Cup, while the third and fourth-placed teams will advance to the fourth round.
| Date | Team (Home) | Score | Team (Away) | Venue |
|---|
| Date | Team (Home) | Score | Team (Away) | Venue |
|---|
| Date | Team (Home) | Score | Team (Away) | Venue |
|---|
