SportReviews will review 7 potential opponents of the Indonesian National Team if they appear in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone. Given the current conditions, the realistic target of the Indonesian National Team is to hunt for tickets to the 2026 World Cup via the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone.
The Indonesian National Team can qualify for the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone if they win over Bahrain (March 25, 2025) and China (June 5, 2025) on matchdays eight and nine of Group C in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone. A collection of 12 points is thought to be enough to take the Indonesian National Team to third or fourth place in the final standings of Group C in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone.
Later, the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone will be attended by six countries. These six countries are taken from the teams that finished in third and fourth place in the final standings of Groups A, B and C in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone.
These six countries will be divided into two groups, each consisting of three countries. Later, the top two teams in each group (two countries) will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
According to the regulations, teams that have met in the third round will not meet in the fourth round. Therefore, if the Indonesian National Team qualifies for the fourth round, the Garuda squad will not meet one of the Group C residents who will qualify for the next round. If they appear in the fourth round, who are the potential opponents for the Indonesian National Team?
- UAE National Team
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Team is almost certain to qualify for the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone. Until matchday seven, the country with many naturalized players from Brazil is in third place with 10 points.
The squad coached by Paulo Bento is seven points ahead of Kyrgyzstan in fifth place. Meanwhile, with Uzbekistan in second place which is the deadline for teams that automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the UAE is six points behind. Although mathematically they can still overtake Uzbekistan, realistically it is almost impossible for the UAE to catch up with this Central Asian representative.
- Qatar National Team
The Qatar National Team is currently in fourth place in Group A with 10 points. Like the UAE, the 2019 and 2023 Asian Cup champions are almost certain to appear in the fourth round because they are far ahead of Kyrgyzstan in fifth place.
There are concerns if the Indonesian National Team meets The Maarons – the nickname of the Qatar National Team. This is because the Qatar National Team has often benefited from the referee’s decisions.
- Kuwait National Team
The Kuwait National Team still has the opportunity to qualify for the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone. Until the fifth matchday, Kuwait is in fifth place in Group B with five points. Juan Antonio Pizzi’s squad is only two points behind Oman in fourth place, or the final limit for teams to qualify for the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone.
- Oman National Team
The Oman National Team is currently in fourth place in Group B with a collection of seven points, or the final limit for teams that qualify for the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone. On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, Oman will face a crucial away game at Kuwait’s headquarters.
If they lose, Oman will be under pressure because they will be overtaken by Kuwait. So, which country will finish in fourth place in the final standings of Group B, Oman or Kuwait?
- Iraq National Team
The Iraqi National Team is currently in third place in Group B with 12 points. Favored to go crazy in Group B in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone, the Mesopotamian Lions squad – the nickname for the Iraqi National Team – turned out not to be that good.
Most recently, the Iraqi National Team almost lost to the world’s 132nd ranked team, Kuwait. After trailing 0-2 until the 90th minute, Iraq equalized 2-2 in injury time.
- Jordan National Team
The Jordan National Team, which is the runner-up of the 2023 Asian Cup, is currently in second place in Group B with 12 points. Jordan is competing closely with Iraq to win one slot to automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Currently, Jordan and Iraq both have 12 points. So, who will finish in the top two in the final standings of Group B?
- South Korean National Team
The South Korean National Team is not yet in a safe position even though it currently occupies the top position in Group B with 15 points. The Taeguk Warriors squad – the nickname for the South Korean National Team – is only three points ahead of Jordan and Iraq in second and third place.
Therefore, there is still the potential for Son Heung-min and his friends to be stranded in third place. If they finish in third place, Hong Myung-bo’s squad must be willing to appear in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone.
