Eight teams confirmed for men's football quarterfinals at ASIAD 2026

Vietnam and Thailand advance to the ASIAD 2026 quarterfinals in Japan, with matches scheduled for 25/9 and 26/9.

The men's football group stage concludes today, 23/9, with the final matches of groups A and B. In group B, China, North Korea, Iran, and UAE all had a chance to advance. Before the final round, Iran and China led with 4 points each, while North Korea and UAE both had one point.

At Wave Stadium, Iran held their destiny in their own hands and even benefited from an opening goal in the 17th minute when Ri Song-hung scored an own goal. However, the West Asian representative collapsed at the end of the first half and beginning of the second, allowing North Korea to score 4 goals and win 4-1. The goals, scored between the 41st and 68th minutes, came from Cheo Kuk, a brace by Ra Myong-song, and Paek Chung-song. In the simultaneous match, China drew 0-0 with UAE.

Vietnam (in white jerseys) defeated the Philippines 2-0 in their second group C match at the ASIAD 2026 men's football tournament, held at Nagoya Minato Stadium, Japan, on 18/9. *Photo: Hoang Ho*

These two results placed China at the top of the group with 5 points. North Korea finished second with 4 points, the same as Iran, but advanced due to a superior goal difference (+2 compared to -1).

China and North Korea will learn their quarterfinal opponents after group A concludes this evening. Japan and Thailand have already secured their spots, having won their first two matches. Japan only needs to avoid defeat against Thailand in their match, scheduled for 17:30 h Hanoi time, to secure first place in the group.

The two other quarterfinal pairings are Uzbekistan against Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam facing South Korea. Both matches will be played on 25/9.

Uzbekistan topped group C after defeating the Philippines 5-1, and both Kuwait and Vietnam 2-0. Vietnam finished second in the group, having drawn 1-1 with Kuwait and beaten the Philippines 2-0. In group D, South Korea won both their matches, scoring 6 goals and conceding one. Saudi Arabia ranked second, securing a 2-0 victory over Qatar but losing 0-2 to South Korea.

In the quarterfinals, East Asia leads with four representatives: Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and China. Southeast Asia has Vietnam and Thailand. Central Asia is represented by Uzbekistan, and West Asia by Saudi Arabia.

Vietnam and Thailand have never won a medal in men's football at the Asian Games. Thailand's best performance was finishing fourth in 1990, 1998, 2002, and 2014. Vietnam achieved fourth place once, in 2018.

Meanwhile, South Korea leads with six gold medals (1970, 1978, 1986, 2014, 2018, 2020), three silver medals (1954, 1958, 1962), and three bronze medals (1990, 2002, 2010). Japan has one gold medal (2010), three silver medals (2002, 2018, 2022), and two bronze medals (1951, 1966). North Korea won a gold medal in 1978 and two silver medals (1990, 2014). Uzbekistan also secured a gold medal in 1994 and a bronze medal in 2022.

China has one silver medal (1994) and two bronze medals (1978, 1988). Saudi Arabia won one silver medal (1986) and one bronze medal (1982).