Asia’s finest will fly the flag in Russia 2018

With Asia to be represented by a historic five nations at the FIFA World Cup for the first time ever, the-AFC.com takes a look at their pedigree.

Islamic Republic of Iran

FIFA Ranking: 34
Previous finals – 4: 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014
Best performance: Round 1 (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014)

Iran were the first Asian team to secure their place at the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Currently the best-ranked Asian team, Team Melli will be aiming to advance past the group stage in Russia next year – having seen their interest end in the preliminary round in their previous appearances.

The stat
1 – A famous 2-1 defeat of USA at France 1998 marks Iran’s only win in their four previous FIFA World Cup appearances.

Australia 

FIFA Ranking: 43
Previous finals – 4: 1974, 2006, 2010, 2014
Best performance: Round of 16 (2006)

After an emphatic 3-1 win over Honduras in the second leg of their Intercontinental Play-off in Sydney, Australia became the last Asian team to make the cut for Russia 2018.

The Socceroos will be making their fifth appearance in the Finals and their best finish was in Germany 2006, in the round of 16.

The stat
32 – The number of years between Australia’s first and second World Cup appearances in 1974 and 2006.

Japan

FIFA Ranking: 44
Previous finals – 5: 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
Best performance: Round of 16 (2002, 2010)

Russia 2018 will be Japan’s sixth World Cup appearance, consistently qualifying for the Finals since 1998.

The Samurai Blue have twice progressed from the group stages, being eliminated in the round of 16 in 2010 and in 2002, when they co-hosted with Korea Republic.

​The stat
4 – Japan have won four of their 17 matches at the World Cup.

Korea Republic

FIFA Ranking: 62
Previous finals – 9: 1954, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
Best performance: Semi-finals (2002)

Arguably the most successful Asian team in terms of Finals appearance and best finishes, Russia 2018 will be Korea Republic’s 10th overall and ninth consecutive appearance in the World Cup.

The Taeguk Warriors claimed automatic qualification spot when they drew 0-0 against Uzbekistan to finish second in their group.

The stat
8 – Korea Republic have featured in eight successive World Cups dating back to 1986.

Saudi Arabia

FIFA Ranking: 63
Previous finals – 4: 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006
Best performance: Round of 16 (1994)

Saudi Arabia’s last appearance in the World Cup was more than a decade ago in the 2006 Finals in Germany – missing the last two editions in South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014.

The Saudis finished second in their qualifying group behind Japan with 19 points – piping Australia on goal difference who also had 19 points.

The stat
13 – The number of matches Saudi Arabia have played on the World Cup stage, winning two, drawing two and losing nine.

The 32 Qualifiers

ASIA: Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia

EUROPE: Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, Russia (hosts), Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay

CONCACAF: Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama

AFRICA: Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia

The draw takes place in Moscow on December 1. The Finals are on June 14-July 15, 2018.

Sources: FIFA.com, AFC