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TRIBUNLOMBOK.COM, MATARAM – The 2026 FIFA World Cup has turned into a true showcase for Asian nations. As of Tuesday (June 16, 2026), not a single team from Asia has suffered a defeat in the opening round of the group stage.

In fact, two Asian representatives have secured victories. South Korea stunned European powerhouse Czech Republic with a 2–1 win.

Meanwhile, Australia defeated another European side, Turkey, with a convincing 2–0 scoreline.

In other fixtures, Asian teams managed to hold their opponents to draws. Qatar held Switzerland to a 1–1 draw, while Japan drew 2–2 against the Netherlands.

Saudi Arabia managed a 1–1 draw with Uruguay, and Iran finished level 2–2 against New Zealand.

Although it is still early in the group stage, these results demonstrate that Asian teams can no longer be underestimated. The technical quality and physical strength of Asian players now rival those of their European counterparts.

Bowo Soesatyo, a football analyst from West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), stated that Asian teams have caused major upsets at the 2026 World Cup due to their outstanding performance and unbeaten record in the early phase of the competition.

“These surprises include South Korea defeating the Czech Republic, Australia overcoming Turkey, and Japan and Qatar holding strong teams like the Netherlands and Switzerland,” Bowo explained.

He also noted a significant improvement in the physical condition and nutrition of Asian players. “Asian players now have body structures and physical strength comparable to European players,” he said.

According to Bowo, this progress is the result of long-term planning focused on nutrition management, body building, and improved training and competition systems that enhance player endurance.

“Asian teams have demonstrated a never-give-up mentality, similar to the ‘Bushido’ spirit of the Japanese team, which drives them to fight until the final whistle even against formidable opponents,” he added.

He further observed that Asian players have adapted well to the World Cup atmosphere, showing no signs of intimidation when facing teams from any part of the world.

The Transformation of Asian Football Ecosystems

Countries such as Japan have undergone major transformations since the 1990s, focusing on grassroots development, adopting advanced technology, and improving the business climate of their football industries.

Additionally, an increasing number of Asian players now play in European leagues. The quality of national teams has improved significantly as many of these players have become key figures in their European clubs.

“They’re not just benchwarmers. Experience at the elite level has a major impact when these players represent their national teams,” said Bowo, who also serves as the secretary of the Department of Education, Youth, and Sports.

Overall, Bowo emphasised that these achievements signal a significant leap in the ‘grade’ of Asian football, proving that it can now compete with the dominance of European and Latin American teams.

Can an Asian Team Win the Title?

Despite these promising developments, doubts remain over whether any Asian team can go all the way to win the 2026 World Cup.

Fetty Fathiyah, a football match official from NTB, mentioned during the “Jemput Bola” podcast by Tribun Lombok that while Asia’s performances so far inspire optimism, winning the tournament still seems challenging considering the ongoing dominance of European and Latin American teams.

Although there is growing hope, she believes Asian teams may not yet be ready to reach the final. Japan is expected to progress at least to the Round of 32, but achieving the championship title may require more time.

Mujadid Muhas, also known as Bung Dedy, a German national team supporter from NTB, referred to the famous phrase “The ball is round.”

He believes that beyond statistics, Japan could emerge as a ‘dark horse’ capable of upsetting expert predictions.

“Football is full of surprises—just as South Korea once defeated Italy—Japan could pull off a similar shock in 2026,” he said.

Besides Japan, Iran has also been highlighted as a major force, often dubbed the “King of Asia,” having previously defeated Japan, though they are expected to face mental challenges while competing in America.

Uzbekistan is also gaining recognition as a disciplined newcomer with physically powerful players.

In summary, while the challenge from football giants like Spain and France remains immense, Japan is viewed as the most prepared Asian representative to compete at the highest level, thanks to their mature players and well-structured development system.