how many asian countries are participating in fifa world cup 2018
Asian nations at the FIFA World Cup The 2018 FIFA World Cup, held in Russia, marked the first time five Asian teams qualified for the FIFA World Cup. Only Japan advanced past the group stage, a feat aided by fair-play points in tie-breaking. Aside from Australia, who only got a draw and two defeats, the other three had at least one win: Saudi Arabia got a 2-1 comeback over Egypt, Iran defeated Morocco, and in the biggest upset, South Korea beat defending champions Germany.[34] In the round of 16, Japan surprised a favored Belgium team and got a 2-0 lead, only to suffer a 3-2 comeback that ended with a Belgian goal in the last minute of stoppage time.[35]
2018 FIFA World Cup qualification In October 2013, UEFA President Michel Platini proposed that the World Cup finals should be expanded from 32 to 40 teams starting from 2018. The format would have been the same, but in groups of five instead of four.[16] This was in response to FIFA President Sepp Blatter's comments that Africa and Asia deserved more spots in the World Cup finals at the expense of European and South American teams.[17] However, FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke said that expansion in 2018 would be "unlikely", while Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko said that the country was "preparing on the basis that 32 teams will be taking part."[18][19] Expansion was ultimately delayed until 10 January 2017, when the FIFA Council voted unanimously to expand to 48 teams starting in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[20]
2018 Asia Cup Originally, the tournament was scheduled to be played in India.[3][4] It was moved to the United Arab Emirates, following ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan.[1]
2018 FIFA World Cup qualification The 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification process is a series of tournaments organised by the six FIFA confederations to decide 31 of the 32 teams which will play in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with Russia qualifying automatically as hosts. All 210 remaining FIFA member associations were eligible to enter the qualifying process, and for the first time in World Cup history, all eligible national teams registered for the preliminary competition,[1] but Zimbabwe and Indonesia were disqualified before playing their first matches.[2][3] Bhutan, South Sudan, Gibraltar and Kosovo made their FIFA World Cup qualification debuts.[4][5][6][7][8] Myanmar, having successfully appealed against a ban from the competition for crowd trouble during a 2014 World Cup qualifying tie against Oman, were obliged to play all their home matches outside the country.[9]