1978 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC and OFC)

Updated on Dec 30, 2023

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Teams 21 (from 2 confederations)

Listed below are the dates and results for the 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the Asian and Oceanian zone (AFC and OFC). For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification.

A total of 21 AFC and OFC teams and Israel entered the competition. However, South Vietnam could not compete after being annexed by Vietnam. The Asian zone was allocated 1 place (out of 16) in the final tournament.

There would be two rounds of play:

First Round: The 21 teams would be divided into 5 groups. The groups had different rules, as follows:

Group 1 had 6 teams. The teams played against each other once in Singapore. The top 2 teams after the group matches played against each other in a single match. The winner would advance to the Final Round.

Groups 2 and 3 had 4 teams each. The teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winners would qualify.

Group 4 had 4 teams. The teams played against each other twice in Qatar. The group winner would qualify.

Group 5 had 3 teams. The teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winner would qualify.

Final Round: The 5 teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winner would qualify.

Hong Kong and Singapore finished in the top two places, and a play-off was played to decide who would advance to the Final Round.

Hong Kong advanced to the Final Round.

Korea Republic advanced to the Final Round.

Iran advanced to the Final Round.

Kuwait advanced to the Final Round.

Australia advanced to the Final Round.

Iran qualified.

References

1978 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC and OFC) Wikipedia

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