Wednesday, October 8, 2025, proved to be a day packed with drama, goals, and high stakes across two continents as both Asian and African nations battled for precious spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With automatic qualification within reach for some and heartbreak looming for others, fans were treated to a spectacle of international football that will be talked about for years to come.
In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia edged one step closer to their seventh World Cup appearance, clinching a tense 3-2 victory over Indonesia in a fourth-round Asian qualifier. The match had all the makings of a classic, with Indonesia—under the guidance of former Netherlands and Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert—striking first through Kevin Diks’ penalty in the 11th minute. The home crowd barely had time to settle before Saleh Abu Al-Shamat leveled the score just six minutes later, setting the tone for a back-and-forth contest.
Firas Al-Buraikan then seized the spotlight, converting a penalty in the 37th minute to put Saudi Arabia ahead. The forward doubled his tally just after the hour mark, seemingly putting the hosts in control. But Indonesia refused to go quietly, and Diks slotted home a second penalty in the 89th minute to make it 3-2, ensuring a nervy finish. The tension escalated when Saudi Arabia’s Mohamed Kanno was sent off in stoppage time, but the Green Falcons held firm until the final whistle.
“One more step to go. God willing, we’ll make it happen,” Al-Buraikan said in comments posted on X by the Asian Football Confederation. His words echoed the mood in Saudi Arabia, where anticipation is building ahead of their crucial clash with Iraq next Tuesday, also in Jeddah. A win there would guarantee first place in Group B and punch their ticket to North America for the 2026 tournament.
For Indonesia, the path is now perilous. Their hopes of returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1938 hang by a thread—they must avoid defeat to Iraq on Saturday or see their dream end. The stakes couldn’t be higher for Kluivert’s men, who have shown flashes of quality but now face a do-or-die scenario.
Elsewhere in Asia, Qatar and Oman played to a goalless draw in Al-Rayyan, a result that left both sides with work to do. “We performed well throughout the match against a stubborn team that defended well and closed down spaces,” said Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui. “Despite that, we created several opportunities but couldn’t convert them into goals.” Oman’s coach Carlos Queiroz was pragmatic, stating, “A draw is the best result for both teams today. A loss would have hurt our chances of World Cup qualification. We don’t have much time before facing the UAE, but we’ll prepare well to keep our World Cup dream alive.”
With Asia allotted eight automatic World Cup places, the picture is becoming clearer. Japan, South Korea, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Jordan had already secured their spots from the third round, leaving just a handful of coveted berths up for grabs as the qualifiers reach their climax.
On the African continent, Wednesday’s action was nothing short of electric. No fewer than 11 matches unfolded as part of Matchday 9 and 10 of the qualifiers, with several heavyweights looking to either secure their passage or keep their hopes alive. Egypt stole the headlines by booking their fourth World Cup appearance with a commanding 3-0 win over Djibouti in Casablanca. The Pharaohs, who previously qualified in 1934, 1990, and 2018, dominated Group A and left no doubt about their credentials.
Ghana, meanwhile, delivered a statement performance in El Jadida, routing Central African Republic 5-0. The Black Stars are now just a draw away from sealing qualification, needing only to avoid defeat at home to Comoros on Sunday in Accra. Their display was a showcase of attacking prowess, with goals from Salisu Mohamed, Thomas Partey, Alex Djiku, Jordan Ayew, and substitute Kamaldeen Sulemana. The emphatic result puts them on the brink of yet another World Cup adventure.
Across the Mediterranean in Tripoli, Cape Verde and Libya played out a thrilling 3-3 draw. The Blue Sharks, chasing their first-ever World Cup qualification, couldn’t quite complete the comeback for victory, but remain favorites to clinch their place when they host Eswatini on Monday. Willy Semedo, Telmo Arcanjo, and Sidny Cabral were among the scorers in a match that swung back and forth, encapsulating the unpredictability of African qualifiers.
Cameroon kept their hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Mauritius in Saint Pierre, closing to within two points of Cape Verde at the top of Group D. The Indomitable Lions, powered by goals from Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu and Bryan Mbeumo, now look to capitalize on any slip-ups as the group stages draw to a close.
Other notable results included Niger’s 3-1 triumph over Congo, Zambia’s late 1-0 win against Tanzania, Mali’s 2-0 success over Chad, and Burkina Faso’s 1-0 victory in Sierra Leone. These matches not only shuffled the standings but also intensified the battle for playoff spots and the coveted automatic berths.
Morocco, it should be noted, had already secured qualification as group winners, allowing the spotlight to shine on the remaining contenders. The runners-up in each group are also vying for a place in the playoffs, though not all will be ranked highly enough to advance due to the complicated points system, especially in groups affected by team withdrawals such as Eritrea’s in Group E.
As the dust settles on a frenetic day of international football, the road to the 2026 World Cup remains fraught with tension and possibility. For teams like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Ghana, the finish line is tantalizingly close. For others, the journey is far from over, with every match, goal, and save carrying the weight of a nation’s hopes.
With crucial fixtures looming in the coming days, the world’s attention turns once more to these qualifying campaigns. Who will seize the moment and etch their names into football history? As always, the beautiful game promises more twists, turns, and unforgettable moments before the final whistle blows on qualification.
