The Road to FIFA World Cup 2018 for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) was a long and arduous journey, filled with intense competition and exhilarating matches. The qualifiers were meticulously structured, with several stages that tested the mettle of participating nations. Here is a comprehensive overview of the Asia Qualifiers schedule for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
**Introduction to AFC Qualification Process**
The AFC qualification process for the 2018 FIFA World Cup involved four distinct rounds, culminating in a play-off round. This rigorous format was designed to identify the strongest teams that would represent Asia on football’s biggest stage. A total of 46 AFC member nations competed, each with the dream of securing a coveted spot in the World Cup.
**First Round**
The first round of the AFC qualifiers featured the lowest-ranked teams according to the FIFA World Rankings. The 12 lowest-ranked teams were paired against each other in home-and-away matches. This round was played on March 12–17, 2015. The six winners from these matchups advanced to the second round.
**Second Round**
The second round saw a significant increase in the number of participating teams. A total of 40 teams, which included the six winners from the first round,