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Kuala Lumpur
The Asian Qualifiers draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Preliminary Competition and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 will be held on July 17, 2019 at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, providing Asia’s top 40 nations with their pathway to glory.
The seedings for the draw will be based on the latest FIFA Rankings issued on June 14, 2019 and following the conclusion of the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 where Bangladesh, Cambodia, Guam, Malaysia and Mongolia – advanced to Round 2, according to AFC.com.
The 40 nations will be drawn into eight groups of five teams and compete in a double round robin format, with matches to be held from September 5, 2019 to June 9, 2020. Following the June 14, 2019 FIFA World Ranking, the group winners and four best runners-up (total 12 teams) will advance to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 finals and the final round of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The next best 24 teams from the preliminary stage of the joint qualifiers will compete in a separate competition for the remaining slots in the 24-team AFC Asian Cup China 2023.
Asia’s five representatives at the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Australia, Iran, Japan, South Republic and Saudi Arabia as well as AFC Asian Cup reigning champions Qatar have all confirmed their spots in Pot 1 after sealing their places among Asia’s top eight in the June 14, 2019, FIFA World Ranking.
In the last edition of the Asian Qualifiers, Asia’s emerging sides – India and Yemen – progressed from the first round to the Continents ultimate stage in the UAE earlier this year.
Hoping to emulate their success in this edition are Mongolia who qualified for the second round for the first time in their history.
Likewise, Sri Lanka, who last competed in the second round in 2004 as well as Indonesia and Nepal, who return after nearly eight years, will also be eyeing a similar inspiring run against some of Asia’s powerhouses.
AFC General Secretary Dato Windsor John said: “The last edition of the qualifying tournament was a resounding success in closing the gap between our Inspiring, Developing and Aspiring nations and also in raising the standards of Asian football.
“The Asian Qualifiers are more inclusive and present our teams with even more opportunities to experience top-level competition than ever before.
“Not only did Asia’s top five teams create history at the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 with our best-ever performance in the group stage but the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 also showcased the incredible progress of our emerging nations as fan engagement on digital media and on television surpassed all expectations.
“The focus of world football for the next few years is clearly on Asia and I am
confident that our teams will again produce a thrilling and memorable campaign.”
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17/07/2019
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