Qatar and Saudi Arabia Officially Appointed as Hosts for AFC Fourth Round World Cup Qualifiers

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially appointed Qatar and Saudi Arabia as the hosts for the fourth round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers. The announcement, made on June 13, 2025, immediately sparked reactions from several participating nations who felt disadvantaged by the decision.

Six teams—Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—will be divided into two groups of three. All matches will be played in centralized venues in Qatar and Saudi Arabia from October 8 to 14, 2025. The winner of each group will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, while the runners-up will advance to a fifth-round playoff for a spot in the inter-confederation playoffs.

The appointment of Qatar and Saudi Arabia as hosts drew protests from Iraq, the UAE, and Oman, who had also submitted bids to host the matches. These nations demanded transparency and fairness from the AFC and FIFA, as both Qatar and Saudi Arabia are participants and seen as gaining a home advantage. The AFC justified the decision by citing the world-class infrastructure and event experience of both countries, but did not disclose details about the selection process or evaluation of other bids. Despite the controversy, the AFC is proceeding with its decision. Indonesia’s football federation, PSSI, stated that the team will focus on preparation and hopes for fair and sportsmanlike competition.