Crunch time

The 2026 football World Cup aspirations of China and India are on the line today when a defeat could mean elimination from Asian qualifying.

A big chunk of the world’s population will be following the results with interest.

If China lose to South Korea in Seoul in the last game of the second round of qualification then they could lose second place in Group C to Thailand, who host Singapore in Bangkok.

Only the top two teams in each of the nine groups progress to the third stage of Asian qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Just five of the 18 spots are still up for grabs with continental heavyweights such as Japan, Australia, Iran and Saudi Arabia already guaranteed of progressing.

China, who have only ever qualified for one men’s World Cup – when the tournament was co-hosted by Japan and South Korea in 2002 – missed a chance to advance last week when they drew 1-1 with Thailand in Shenyang.

“There is still a lot of football to be played and we will go to South Korea and give it all we have,” China coach Branko Ivankovic said. “We will go all out in the next match and try to qualify for the next round.”

It will be difficult for Ivankovic’s team. China have won just twice in 37 games against South Korea. At No 23, the South Koreans are 65 places higher than China on the Fifa world rankings.

And even though South Korea sealed their place in the next stage with a 7-0 rout of Singapore last week, intensity won’t be lacking in the rivalry against China.

“Just as we gave our fans joy with the win over Singapore, we would all like to finish this round well on our home pitch,” South Korea’s interim head coach Kim Do Hoon said. “Everyone on the team feels the same.”

India could progress with a win over 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar but anything less will give Afghanistan an opportunity. The teams are level on points in second spot in Group A, but Afghanistan have an inferior goal difference.

India were disappointed with last week’s 0-0 draw against Kuwait at Kolkata and now face a tough trip to the home of the Asian champions, though Qatar have already secured first place in the group.

“We need to believe in our team,” India coach Igor Stimac said. “We need to believe in our abilities, and in what’s possible to do.”

Indonesia could also progress to the third stage of qualifying for the first time with a win against the Philippines.