User:Hexarafi/Archive/2018 FIFA World Cup qualification in Asia (Football Future's Scenario)

The Asian section of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification acts as qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, to be held in Russia, for national teams which are members of the (AFC). A total of 4.5 slots (4 direct slots and 1 inter-confederation play-off slot) in the final tournament are available for AFC teams.

Format
The qualification structure is as follows:
 * First round: A total of 12 teams (teams ranked 35–46) will play home-and-away over two legs. The six winners will advance to the second round.
 * Second round: A total of 40 teams (teams ranked 1–34 and six first round winners) will be divided into eight groups of five teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches. The eight group winners and the four best group runners-up will advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualification as well as qualify for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup finals.
 * Third round: The 12 teams (an increase from 10 for 2014) which advance from the second round will be divided into two groups of six teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches. The top two teams of each group will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the two third-placed teams will advance to the fourth round.
 * Fourth round: The two third-placed teams of each group from the third round will play home-and-away over two legs. The winner will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.

First round
Seeding

Second round
Seeding

Group F
(D) Disqualified.

Group A
Updated to match(es) played on 13 June 2017. (Q) Qualified; (Y) Can not qualify directly to, but may still advance to the fourth round.

Group B
Updated to match(es) played on 13 June 2017. (E) Eliminated.

Fourth round
The two third-placed teams in each group from the third round will play against each other home-and-away over two legs to determine which team will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.

Inter-confederation play-offs
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (inter-confederation play-offs)

The fifth-placed team from AFC was drawn against the fourth-placed team from CONCACAF, with the AFC team hosting the second leg.