First teams already eliminated from 2026 World Cup contention – 969 days before the tournament begins
GUAM have become the first nation to be eliminated from 2026 World Cup contention - 969 days before the tournament is set to begin.
The western Pacific island take part in the AFC's qualifying path.
Twenty sides were drawn into two-legged ties, with the losers of each OUT of World Cup contention.
Guam drew Singapore and were beaten 2-1 in the first leg.
The two sides met again in Dededo on Tuesday, with Shawal Anuar's late goal consigning Guam to a 3-1 aggregate defeat.
Other Asian nations have since also fallen by the wayside, their dreams of competing on the world stage already parked until 2030.
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Mongolia were beaten 2-0 on aggregate by Afghanistan.
Yemen overcame Sri Lanka 4-1 across two legs.
Cambodia were narrowly edged out 1-0 by Pakistan.
Timor-Leste were beaten 7-0 on aggregate by Chinese Taipei.
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Macau held Myanmar to a 0-0 draw at home, but were beaten 5-1 by their rivals in the away leg.
Bangladesh edged past the Maldives 2-1 on aggregate, holding on with ten men in the second clash.
Meanwhile, Bhutan fell short in their comeback against Hong Kong, only managing a 2-0 win after losing the first leg 4-0.
Nepal scaped through against Laos 2-1 and Indonesia thumped Brunei 12-0 - with resounding 6-0 wins home and away.