FIFA also took notice of 'Asian teams' undefeated streak at the World Cup'... from South Korea to Iran, '2 wins, 4 draws'

*This content was translated by AI.

As the undefeated streak of Asian national football teams continues in the early stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, extending to a sixth team, FIFA has also turned its attention to them.

On the 16th (Korean time), FIFA highlighted the results of Asian teams that played their first matches of the tournament via its official social media (SNS), noting that 'the AFC teams' undefeated streak at the World Cup continues.'

In fact, six Asian teams that played their first matches in this tournament have recorded an undefeated record of 2 wins and 4 draws from the opening until today.

The streak began with the South Korean national football team (FIFA ranking 25th) led by coach Hong Myung-bo. On the 12th, they secured a 2-1 comeback victory in the Group A first match against Czech Republic (40th).

Then on the 14th, Qatar (56th) pulled off a surprise draw 1-1 with Switzerland (19th), and Australia (27th) also decisively defeated Turkey (22nd), which had a higher FIFA ranking, 2-0. Japan (18th) also drew 2-2 with Netherlands (8th), which had a FIFA ranking 10 spots higher, on the 15th.

It seemed likely that the undefeated streak of Asian teams would end on the 16th. This was because Saudi Arabia (61st) in Group H was about to face Uruguay (16th). As the FIFA ranking gap indicated, the difference in team strength was enormous.

However, Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 with Uruguay, who managed to equalize in the 35th minute of the second half through Maxi Araujo (Sporting CP), after Abdulrahman Al-Amri (Al-Nassr) scored the opening goal in the 41st minute of the first half. In the following match, Iran (20th) drew 2-2 with New Zealand (85th), extending the Asian undefeated streak to six matches.

In this process, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, and Japan achieved a record of 2 wins and 2 draws against European teams. The British daily The Guardian also highlighted that 'AFC teams continued their undefeated streak against European teams. The atmosphere was set by South Korea's victory over Czech Republic.'

The Asian teams' challenge for an undefeated run at the North American World Cup continues. On the 17th at 7 a.m., Iraq (57th) will play their Group I first match against Norway (31st). Later that day at 1 p.m., Jordan (63rd) will face Austria (24th), and on the 18th at 11 a.m., Uzbekistan (50th) will clash with Colombia (13th).

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*This content was translated by AI.