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.

EMPICS SportNations around the globe are already dreaming of World Cup 2026 glory[/caption]

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.

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.

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.