The journey to the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar has been an exhilarating and competitive process, particularly within the Asia region. With only a limited number of spots available for one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world, teams from across Asia have left no stone unturned in their quest for qualification. This article will delve into the structure of the qualifiers, key teams and players, notable matches, and the implications of these qualifiers on Asian football as a whole.
The Structure of the Qualifiers
The qualification process for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Asia is governed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and involves multiple stages. The competition stretches over several years, starting with lower-ranked teams in the early rounds and culminating in the inclusion of Asia’s football powerhouses.
The first round involves the continent’s lowest-ranked teams, pitting them against one another in home-and-away legs. The winners of the first round advance to the second round, which is more extensive and includes 40 teams. These teams are split into eight groups, competing in a round-robin format. The group winners and the best runners-up proceed to the third round.
In the third round, the remaining 12 teams are divided into two groups. Each