Tasnim – Iran has been pooled against Iraq in Group C of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.


The draw for Round Two of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 concluded in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

The draw, conducted by FIFA Director of Competitions Christian Unger and Australian legend Tim Cahill, saw Asia's top ranked team Iran pooled in Group C alongside Iraq, Bahrain, Hong Kong and Cambodia.

Iran will be aiming for a third consecutive appearance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, having narrowly missed on qualifying for the knockout stage in Russia 2018.

The eight group winners and four best runners-up will advance to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Finals and the final round of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The next best 24 teams from the second round of the joint qualifiers will compete in a separate competition for the remaining 12 slots in the 24-team AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 & AFC Asian Cup China 2023
Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 Draw Results

Group A: China, Syria, Philippines, Maldives, Guam.
Group B: Australia, Jordan, Chinese Taipei, Kuwait and Nepal.
Group C: Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Cambodia
Group D: Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Palestine, Yemen, Singapore
Group E: Qatar, Bangladesh, Oman, India, Afghanistan
Group F: Japan, Kyrgyz Republic , Tajikistan, Myanmar, Mongolia
Group E: UAE, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia
Group F: South Korea, Lebanon, DPR Korea, Turkmenistan, Sri Lanka