All nine teams representing the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup by the conclusion of the round of 32. This marks the sixth consecutive tournament in which no Asian team has won a game in the knockout rounds. Despite an expanded format that allowed a record number of AFC participants, the collective record for the region finished at three wins out of 29 total matches.
The exit of Australia and Japan in the round of 32 followed the group-stage eliminations of South Korea, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan. Analysts noted that while Asian teams demonstrated competitiveness during the group stages—including an initial win by South Korea over the Czech Republic—they were unable to maintain momentum. Paul Williams, co-founder of The Asian Game, stated that a gap remains between Asian football and the dominant teams from other continents.
The early exit has triggered significant administrative changes in South Korea. Following a 0-1 loss to South Africa and reports of internal organizational issues, national team coach Hong Myung-bo and Korea Football Association head Chung Mong-gyu resigned. The resignations occurred after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for an investigation into the coaching appointment process amid public criticism of the team's performance and management.