Sports
Asian Teams Are Unbeaten at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — And They're All Doing It Against Europe
South Korea, Qatar, Australia, and Japan have each avoided defeat against European opposition in a stunning start for the AFC at the World Cup in North America
By CM NEWS Staff | June 15, 2026 | World Cup 2026 / Soccer / Football
One of the most striking early storylines of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has nothing to do with any single match — it is a collective statement from an entire continent. Through the opening days of the tournament, every Asian Football Confederation (AFC) nation has remained unbeaten, with all four results coming directly against European sides. South Korea, Qatar, Australia, and Japan have each taken points from their Group Stage openers, fuelling a growing conversation about whether this World Cup could mark a genuine shift in global football power.
Key Facts
- South Korea 2–1 Czech Republic — Group A, June 11, Guadalajara, Mexico
- Qatar 1–1 Switzerland — Group B, June 13, Santa Clara, California
- Australia 2–0 Türkiye — Group D, June 14, Santa Clara, California
- Netherlands 2–2 Japan — Group F, June 14, Arlington, Texas
- All four Asian nations remain unbeaten after their opening fixtures
- All four results came against UEFA (European) opposition
South Korea 2–1 Czech Republic: A Comeback for the Ages
South Korea set the tone for Asia's tournament on June 11, producing a determined second-half comeback to defeat the Czech Republic 2–1 at Estadio Guadalajara in Mexico. Second-half goals from Oh Hyeon-gyu and Hwang In-beom steered South Korea to victory in a Group A encounter. [Al Jazeera]
South Korea were the better team throughout but fell behind when Ladislav Krejci headed home Vladimir Coufal's second-half long throw. Czech Republic's lead lasted only eight minutes, however, with Hwang In-beom drawing South Korea level before Oh Hyeon-gyu turned in the winner. [Sky Sports]
The result was made all the more remarkable by the circumstances surrounding the squad. Oh Hyeon-gyu, the scorer of South Korea's winning goal, revealed he almost missed the game entirely, having felt unwell in the build-up. "My body temperature today had gone up to 38 degrees because I wasn't feeling well. I wondered if I could even play," he said. [Sky Sports]
Coach Hong Myung-bo, himself a World Cup legend who represented South Korea at multiple tournaments, praised his side's resilience. "It was our first game and a very difficult one. The win itself makes me happy, but what's even more positive is that our boys won by not giving up," he said. [Sky Sports]
Qatar 1–1 Switzerland: The Last-Gasp Equaliser That Stunned the Bay Area
On June 13, the 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar produced one of the tournament's early shock results, snatching a point against Switzerland in the dying seconds at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Switzerland dominated the match in almost every way but were forced to settle for a draw after a last-gasp goal from Qatar's Boualem Khoukhi. With six minutes of injury time added on, Qatar applied pressure, and their work paid off in the 95th minute when a beautiful cross from the left allowed Khoukhi to slam home a header and make it 1–1. [SBS]
The Swiss had 23 shots in the game, with seven on target, but they would only collect one point for their outing after the dramatic finish. [Yahoo Sports] Qatar, the tournament's host nation in 2022 and now a competitor on the grandest stage, earned what could prove to be a vital point in Group B.
Australia 2–0 Türkiye: Socceroos Deliver the Day's Biggest Surprise
Australia produced perhaps the most eye-catching result of the opening days, defeating a highly fancied Türkiye side 2–0 on June 14 to send a clear message to Group D rivals — including the host United States.
The Socceroos took an early lead on a counter-attack capped off by a brilliant first touch and finish by Nestory Irankunda in the 27th minute, then doubled their advantage in the 75th minute on a strike from Connor Metcalfe from just outside the box, and held on for a famous win. [Yahoo Sports]
Australia's strategy was precisely what head coach Tony Popovic had engineered — the Socceroos have become a side known for patient, disciplined defence and pouncing on opponent mistakes. Türkiye came out strong in the opening minutes, pressing the Australians back in their half with some very smooth football, but could not find a way through. [SBS]
The result delivers a surprising early jolt to Group D. Australia now sit on three points alongside the United States, while Türkiye and Paraguay are still searching for their first World Cup points. [Yahoo Sports]
Netherlands 2–2 Japan: Asian Resilience on Primetime
Japan completed the quartet of unbeaten Asian nations on Sunday evening in Arlington, Texas, drawing 2–2 with a strong Netherlands side in what became one of the opening weekend's most dramatic encounters in Group F. Daichi Kamada's late equaliser secured a hard-fought point for the Samurai Blue and set off celebrations in the stands — before Japan's fans, true to their well-documented tradition, stayed behind to clean the stadium.
The result confirmed that Japan, ranked among Asia's strongest footballing nations and regular World Cup participants, would not simply be making up the numbers in 2026.
Analysis: What Is Driving Asia's Impressive Start?
The collective unbeaten record of all four AFC nations is more than a statistical coincidence — it reflects a genuine evolution in Asian football over the past decade.
Investment in domestic leagues, improved coaching structures, and the integration of Asian players into Europe's top leagues have all raised the technical ceiling of the continent's footballers. South Korea's squad is packed with Premier League and Bundesliga experience. Japan's players are regulars in the top divisions of Spain, England, France, and Germany. Australia's Nestory Irankunda plays his club football at Bayern Munich.
The results also reflect a broader trend visible since at least the 2002 World Cup, which South Korea co-hosted and where they famously reached the semi-finals. Asian sides have historically been underestimated by European opponents, and the 2026 tournament — played across North America — provides no home advantage for either side in these encounters.
Whether this translates into deep runs in the knockout stages remains to be seen. But for supporters of AFC football, and for neutral observers watching the group stage unfold, the early evidence is compelling.
What Happens Next
All four Asian nations return to action in the coming days as the Group Stage continues:
- South Korea face Mexico in Zapopan on June 18 (Group A)
- Qatar take on Canada in Group B action
- Australia face the United States in a highly anticipated Group D clash
- Japan continue in Group F
A second round of positive results would begin to make the conversation about Asia's World Cup not just a feel-good story, but a serious footballing narrative.
Conclusion
Four matches. Four Asian nations. Four unbeaten results — all against European opposition. The 2026 FIFA World Cup has barely begun, but the AFC has already announced itself as a force to be respected in North America. The question now is whether South Korea, Qatar, Australia, and Japan can convert these early statements into progression through the knockout rounds. The world is watching.
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