World Cup Top Asian Team Odds: Japan favourites as Iran offer value

Teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are represented across six continental confederations, including AFC (Asia).

Below are the World Cup Top Asian Team Odds as I analyse all nine countries that are representing the Asian Football Confederation at this summer's finals, held across the USA, Mexico and Canada.

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World Cup Odds

Japan @ 6/5

Japan were my 'dark horse' pick for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and they duly delivered, topping Group E ahead of Spain, Germany and Costa Rica, beating both of the first two teams by a 2-1 scoreline.

The Samurai Blue's journey in Qatar came to an end in the last 16, with a 1-1 draw with Croatia followed by a 3-1 defeat on penalties, but they were one of just three representing Asia that made it to the knockouts, with South Korea and Australia also bowing out at the same stage after losing 4-1 to Brazil and 2-1 to Argentina, respectively.

Japan have progressed past the group stage of a World Cup on four occasions (2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022), and arguably boast the most talented squad out of all the Asian countries.

One of their best players, Takumi Minamino, won't be competing at this tournament due to injury, while there are question marks around the fitness of skipper Wataru Endo, who missed the majority of the second half of the season for Liverpool with a foot problem.

However, there is still plenty of quality in Hajime Moriyasu's side, and they'll fancy their chances of a top-two finish in Group F, where the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia lie in wait.

South Korea @ 7/2

South Korea have gone further than any other Asian nation at a World Cup, finishing fourth in the 2002 tournament which they hosted alongside Japan.

Like Japan, South Korea made it to the last 16 of the last edition before coming up against a powerhouse in Brazil, and they qualified for this finals without a sweat.

The Taeguk Warriors have been handed a kind draw, with the Czech Republic, Mexico and South Africa to come in Group A, making the knockouts an expectation, rather than a dream, so the pressure is on Hong Myung-bo's side.

Certainly, I expect to see South Korea in the round of 32, but perhaps there is an overreliance on skipper Son Heung-min, who isn't at the peak of his powers anymore, although Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in and Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae provide considerable quality, too.

At 7/2, considering their group, South Korea are good value to be the Top Asian Team at the this year's World Cup.

Iran @ 7/1

Iran have appeared at the last three World Cups, but they failed to make it out of their group in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

This time around, though, with most of the third-placed sides going through to the knockouts, they stand a much better chance, particularly with Egypt and New Zealand in Group G, as well as Belgium.

The location of the World Cup isn't ideal, to say the least, for Iran, though, as there are serious tensions between them and one of the three host nations, the USA.

Travel and visa issues hang over Amir Ghalenoei's side, who are based in Mexico, despite all three of their group games taking place in the USA.

Iran's football federation has also claimed that its ⁠ticket allocation for the World Cup has been pulled, ⁠just ​days before ⁠the tournament is due to kick off.

How that will affect the team remains to be seen, but a run to the round of 32 or last 16 is possible, and so there may be value in their odds here, too.

Australia 8/1

Australia are entering their seventh consecutive World Cup, and after a successful tournament in Qatar last time out, hopes are high for another good run in North America.

This time around, Tony Popovic is in charge, and he's brought a good mix of experience and youth with him to the finals.

Defence will be key again for the Socceroos, as it was in Qatar where they kept two clean sheets in the group stage, and they're in one of the most competitive groups, with themselves, the USA, Turkey and Paraguay all likely to fancy their chances of at least finishing in the top two of Group D.

Saudi Arabia @ 14/1

Between 1994 and 2022, Saudi Arabia qualified for six of the eight World Cups held, but in their last five appearances, they've failed to get out of the groups, finishing third in Group A in Russia 2018 and fourth in Group C in Qatar 2022.

The Green One should be confident of a top-three finish in Group H here, though, with first-time entrants Cape Verde among their rivals, as well as traditional heavyweights Spain and Uruguay.

While Georgios Donis' side could come third and book a spot in the knockouts, they would likely face a tough round of 32 tie, which is where they could fall short.

Friendly results haven't been encouraging this year, with three straight defeats to Egypt (0-4), Serbia (1-2) and Ecuador (1-2) followed by a 3-0 victory over international minnows Puerto Rico last week.

Qatar @ 16/1

Qatar qualified for the 2022 World Cup as the host nation, but their first experience at the tournament wasn't a good one as they lost all three group games to the Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador, scoring just once.

The Maroon One take on Switzerland, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Canada in Group B this year, so they'll be more confident over their chances of at least winning a game, but they're outsiders to progress to the knockout phase.

Having failed to win any of their six matches since qualifying (D2, L4), failing to score in summer friendlies against the Republic of Ireland (0-1) and El Salvador (0-0), Julen Lopetegui's side aren't flowing with confidence, and it would be a big surprise to see them outlast all of the other Asian nations.

Uzbekistan @ 22/1

Uzbekistan will appear at the World Cup for the first time this year, having picked up 21 points from 10 games in the final round of qualifiers.

There's Premier League representation in the form of Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, with AS Roma forward Eldor Shomurodov, who enjoyed a prolific season on loan at Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir in 2025/26, probably the second-best known player from the White Wolves, who appointed 2006 World Cup and Ballon d'Or winner Fabio Cannavaro as their head coach last October.

It looks like a straight shootout between the Central Asian nation and DR Congo for third spot in Group K, with Portugal and Colombia expected to take first and second place, but really, even getting a point on the board would represent success for Uzbekistan here.

Jordan @ 25/1

Like Uzbekistan, Jordan will make their World Cup debut this summer, and they've been drawn in Group J alongside reigning champions Argentina, Austria and Algeria.

The Chivalrous Ones have failed to win any of their four friendlies this year (D2, L2), losing both of their warm-up games against Switzerland (4-1) and Colombia (2-0), so alarms bells are already ringing.

Once again, there are zero expectations over this Jordan side, which may help to free up their players and give their Group J rivals a good game.

Iraq @ 33/1

Iraq made their first World Cup appearance in 1986, losing all three games to Paraguay, Belgium and Mexico, and failed to make the next nine tournaments, but they're back in the big time this year after former Australia head coach Graham Arnold led the Lions of Mesopotamia to victory in the inter-confederation play-offs.

It's been a long and painful route to the World Cup for Iraq, whose qualifying campaign spanned 21 matches over a period of 28 months beginning in November 2023.

Arnold's charges were handed no favours in the draw, with France, Senegal and Norway their three opponents in Group I, and it would be a surprise to see them even put a point on the board.

However, they can take encouragement from a 1-1 friendly draw with reigning European champions Spain on 4 June, when they came from a goal behind to equalise through Merchas Doski.

Furthermore, Arnold has experience of upsetting the odds at a World Cup, inspiring Australia to a second-place finish in Group D of Qatar 2022, level on points with group winners France and ahead of Tunisia and Denmark, who they both beat 1-0, before the Socceroos lost 2-1 to eventual champions Argentina in the last 16.