AFC controversy: 4 nations protest 2026 World Cup Qualifiers host selection

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) faces sharp criticism regarding the host selection for the fourth round of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers — a decision that remains unofficially reported but widely circulated in media.

Among the six teams that advanced to the fourth round — United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia — only one nation did not submit a hosting bid.

Media reports indicate that AFC has chosen Qatar and Saudi Arabia as hosts — a decision that sparked a wave of protests from four other participating nations regarding the lack of transparency in the selection process.

“Today, the Iraq Football Association sent an official letter to FIFA and AFC,” stated the official release from Iraq Football Association (IFA).