South Korea, the most successful Asian nation in FIFA World Cup history in terms of appearances, have featured in 12 editions of the tournament (1954, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026). They kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a 2-1 win over Czechia on June 11. (Picture Credit: AP)
Japan have qualified for every FIFA World Cup since making their tournament debut in 1998, featuring in the 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 editions. (Picture Credit: AP)
Iran will make their seventh FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026. They previously qualified for the tournament in 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022, but have yet to progress beyond the group stage. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Saudi Arabia will feature in the FIFA World Cup for the seventh time in 2026. The Green Falcons previously qualified for the 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018 and 2022 editions. Their most memorable World Cup result came in 2022, when they shocked eventual champions Argentina 2-1 in their tournament opener. (Picture Credit: AFP)
North Korea have appeared in two FIFA World Cups, making their debut in 1966 before returning to the tournament in 2010. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Qatar made their FIFA World Cup debut in 2022 when they hosted the tournament. The Maroons have qualified for the 2026 edition as well, marking only their second appearance at football’s biggest event. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Iraq made their FIFA World Cup debut in 1986 and have qualified for the tournament for only the second time in 2026. In the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage, they will face France, Senegal and Norway. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Indonesia became the first Asian nation to participate in the FIFA World Cup when they made their debut in 1938. Competing as the Dutch East Indies, they lost 6-0 to Hungary in their only match of the tournament, played on June 5, 1938, at the Stade Vélodrome Municipal in Reims, France. (Picture Credit: FIFA)
Israel participated in the 1970 FIFA World Cup, their only appearance in the tournament to date. They failed to progress beyond the group stage after finishing fourth in a group that included Italy, Uruguay and Sweden. (Picture Credit: FIFA)
Kuwait participated in the 1982 FIFA World Cup, their only appearance in the tournament to date. They failed to win any of their three Group 4 matches, losing two and drawing one. (Picture Credit: AFP)
The United Arab Emirates qualified for their first and only FIFA World Cup in 1990. They were unable to progress beyond the group stage after losing all three of their Group D matches.
China participated in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which was co-hosted by Japan and South Korea. In their maiden appearance at the tournament, China lost all three of their Group C matches and failed to score a single goal. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Jordan are set to make their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026. They have been placed in Group J, where they will face Argentina, Algeria and Austria in the group stage. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Uzbekistan will also make their FIFA World Cup debut in 2026. The White Wolves have been drawn in Group K alongside Portugal, DR Congo and Colombia. (Picture Credit: AFP)
