TOKYO – Japan, Australia and Jurgen Klinsmann’s South Korea will launch their qualifying campaigns for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday, with Palestine also among the 36 teams in action in Asia.

A record eight direct spots and one intercontinental play-off berth are up for grabs for Asian Football Confederation (AFC) sides at the expanded World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Nine groups of four will play each other home and away – the top two from each advance to the final qualifying round.

Japan will be expected to book their place at an eighth straight World Cup after a phenomenal run of form since the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where they reached the last 16.

The Samurai Blue have won their last six games, plundering 24 goals and conceding just five along the way.

But Hajime Moriyasu, whose side kick off their campaign against Myanmar in Osaka, warned that a Group B also featuring Syria and North Korea would not be easy, especially with injured winger Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton & Hove Albion ruled out.

“They are teams that wouldn’t look out of place in the final round,” the coach said, despite Japan thrashing Myanmar 10-0 at home when they met in 2022 World Cup qualifying.

“We can’t afford to slack off and we need to keep striving to be better.”

South Korea initially struggled when German legend Klinsmann took over as coach in February, but results have picked up in recent games.

The Taegeuk Warriors scored 11 goals without reply in friendly wins over Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Vietnam, and begin their qualifying campaign at home to Singapore.

China and Thailand have also been drawn in Group C in what looks like the toughest group of the qualifiers.

“We will be very serious with every World Cup qualifying game,” said Klinsmann, who was without a win in his first five games in charge.

“Getting points right away is very important.”

Australia, who joined Japan and South Korea in reaching the World Cup last 16 in Qatar, begin their campaign against Bangladesh in Melbourne.

Coach Graham Arnold believes that the time for “experimenting” is over, with the Asian Cup in Qatar also just two months away.

“Now it’s all about getting the tactics right and getting the players on the pitch and their performance right, and winning those games at all costs,” he said.

The Socceroos have also been drawn alongside Lebanon and Palestine in Group I.

Palestine are away to Lebanon in their opener but the conflict between Israel and Hamas means they will play their home game against Australia on neutral ground in Kuwait next week. AFP