Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu has confirmed his preliminary 27-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, featuring key talents including midfielder Hidemasa Morita and rising star Takefusa Kubo. The Samurai Blue will face the United States in their opening qualifier on September 10, 2025, with veteran goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima providing experience between the posts. This squad represents a perfect blend of youth and experience as Japan looks to secure their spot in the expanded 48-team format for the 2026 tournament in North America.
Brazil, the five-time World Cup champions, have announced their strong preliminary roster led by captain Marquinhos and star forward Vinicius Junior. Brazil will begin their World Cup journey against Chile on September 5, 2025, in Santiago, marking their first competitive match under new manager Dorival Junior. The Brazilian squad includes 18-year-old prodigy Endrick, who recently signed with Real Madrid, alongside established stars like Casemiro and Richarlison. Brazil has won the World Cup 5 times previously (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) and will be among the favorites for the 2026 edition.
South Korea has also revealed their 26-player preliminary squad, with captain Son Heung-min set to lead the charge. The Taeguk Warriors will face Iran in their opening match on September 5, 2025, in Seoul. Coach Hong Myung-bo emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency after their strong performances in recent international friendlies. Son Heung-min, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur, scored 8 goals in the 2022 World Cup qualification campaign, making him one of the most experienced players in the squad alongside Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain.
Australia confirmed their final 23-man squad on June 10, 2026, with Leeds United midfielder Jack Harrison earning his first call-up for the World Cup campaign. The Socceroos will take on Japan in a crucial June 15 qualifier match in Melbourne, representing one of the most anticipated fixtures of the second round of Asian qualifying. Australia reached the Round of 16 in the 2022 World Cup and will be looking to build on that performance with a squad averaging 27 years of age under Graham Arnold.
Iran rounds out the Asian powerhouses with a 25-man preliminary list featuring Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Mehdi Taremi. Team Melli will face Uzbekistan on September 8, 2025, in Tehran, with head coach Amirali Alizadeh aiming to build upon their semi-final finish at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Iran has qualified for the last three consecutive World Cups and will rely on the attacking partnership of Taremi, who scored 12 goals in Portuguese league this season, and Jahanbakhsh, who has been instrumental with his creativity from the wing.
All four teams will compete in the final round of Asian qualifiers starting September 2025, with matches scheduled across multiple windows leading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded format means more opportunities for Asian teams to advance, with potentially up to 8 slots available for the continent.
