Asian World Cup: the line-up is complete
Phase two of the Asian 2022 World Cup qualifiers has come to an end as those teams participating in the 2023 Asian cup have been decided.
The curtain has come down on round two of the Asian fixtures qualifying for the 2023 Asian Cup in China, and the final round of Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers, amidst the presence of six Arab national teams.
According to the Asian Football Federation regulations, the eight group winners automatically proceed to the final and decisive phase of the qualifiers in addition to the five best second-placed teams since the host team Qatar have already guaranteed their spot in the qualifiers' third round as the leader of group E.
Group winners
The national teams who are through to the final round are; Syria, Australia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Japan, UAE, and Korea republic. They will be joined by Oman, Iraq, Vietnam, Lebanon, and China.
Six Arab national teams progressing
The final round of the World Cup qualifiers will see the presence of six Arab national teams as Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Syria have qualified as their group winners whereas Oman, Lebanon, and Iraq have qualified among the five best second-placed sides.
The twelve qualified teams will be divided into two groups, where the first and second teams of each group securing their berths in the World Cup while those who finish in third place will be qualified for two-legged playoffs against the fourth-placed in "CONCACAF" qualifiers.