Across the tournament, AFC teams managed just three victories in the group stage. Only Australia and Japan survived to see the knockout rounds. But any hopes of a deep run evaporated in the Round of 32 when Japan fell 2-1 to heavyweights Brazil, courtesy of a devastating 95th-minute winner by Gabriel Martinelli.

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said his side had silenced their doubters after Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal inspired a 4-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia defender Saud Abdulhamid will arrive late to the national team's camp ahead of the World Cup after his passport was stolen during a break-in in Amsterdam, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation said on Monday.

Frenchman Herve Renard told AFP on Friday he has been relieved of his duties as Saudi Arabia coach, less than two months before the start of the 2026 World Cup.

The Saudis, who beat eventual champions Argentina at last year's World Cup in Qatar, have been without a coach since Herve Renard left to take charge of France's women's team.