This time for Afro-Asia

Japan and Morocco trashed critics who do not want more teams from Asia and Africa in the World Cup

- BY MUHAMMED DAVOOD/Doha

The World Cup is a great leveller. More so in Qatar 2022. Three teams from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) made it to the second round for the first time. Iran and Saudi Arabia came close to progressing.

This had briefly silenced the detractors of Asian football, till they were back in full force after the round of 16. True. South Korea were outclassed by the best team in the world; Australia's heroic effort was not enough to contain, arguably, the greatest player of all time; and Japan, unlucky not to win before the penalty shootout, did not deserve to go through with their dismal kicks from 12 yards out.

The African story of grit and graft at Qatar 2022 also looked to be heading the Asian way until the Atlas Lions eliminated Spain in the round of 16. The eliminated African teams, too, gave a good account of themselves. In short, 10 of the 11 sides from the two largest continents did well.

The fact that Asian and African teams have become capable of challenging the European and South American teams is especially relevant ahead of the 48-team World Cup in 2026. There are those who say the expansion would result in more also-rans from Asia and Africa qualifying. But the determination of the Japanese and the fierce resistance of the Moroccans will inspire other Asian and African teams in future World Cups.

Interestingly, both these countries benefited from the European football ecosystem. Here is a closer look at the two successful models.

Japan: A league of their own