AFC faces backlash over selection of fourth-round World Cup qualifiers hosts

Indonesia players (in red) during the World Cup qualifying game against China on June 5, 2025. Photo by AFP

The fourth round in October features six teams: hosts Saudi Arabia and Qatar, along with Indonesia, Iraq, Oman and the UAE, all of whom finished third or fourth in the previous qualifying round.

These teams will be split into two groups, with the top two earning direct World Cup tickets. The two runners-up will meet in a home-and-away playoff in November for a spot in the intercontinental playoffs against teams from North, Central and South America, Africa, and Oceania.

Rumors of Saudi Arabia and Qatar hosting had already begun circulating before the AFC's official announcement on June 13. The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) submitted a petition on June 7 to both FIFA and the AFC, seeking transparency on the host selection process and expressing interest in hosting. Iraq and the UAE followed with similar petitions, but the decision remained unchanged.

Within hours of the AFC’s announcement on Facebook, the post received thousands of interactions, mostly negative. Comments accused the AFC of favoritism and questioned the integrity of the selection process.

"It seems the AFC wants Qatar and Saudi Arabia to qualify," one user wrote, using the hashtag #afcmafia.

"Money talks here. For the rest of us, dreams are buried before kickoff," another commented.

One user mockingly rebranded the AFC as the "Arab Football Confederation".

Recent major football events in Asia have largely been held in the West region. Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup, the 2023 Asian Cup and the 2024 U23 Asian Cup. Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2026 U23 Asian Cup, the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2034 World Cup. The UAE hosted the 2019 Asian Cup.

While West Asian nations are known for their infrastructure and financial backing, the number of time that they are awarded hosting rights has led to growing concerns about bias within AFC and FIFA, CNN Indonesia reported.

"We respect the decision," PSSI president Erick Thohir said in a statement on Friday. "If we’ve done our best now, we must work even harder moving forward," Thohir said in a statement. "Our priority is preparation, not debate. We hope all matches will be conducted in the spirit of fair play."

The fourth round of Asian qualifiers is scheduled for Oct. 8, 11, and 14. The draw will be held on July 17 in Japan, though seeding criteria have yet to be disclosed.