The Hong Myung-bo team, after drawing with Oman at home, maintained its lead in Group B of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asian Qualifiers, but allowed a 3-point gap for the second and third place teams.

In Group B, where the South Korean national football team led by Hong Myung-bo is located, Jordan secured a 3-1 victory against Palestine in the 7th match of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers on the 21st (Korean time) at the Amman International Stadium in Jordan.

Jordan rose one step to second place in the group with 12 points (3 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss), closely chasing the first-place Korea (15 points, 4 wins, 3 draws) after drawing 1-1 at home with Oman.

Iraq drew 2-2 with Kuwait, recording the same points (12) as Jordan, but fell to third place due to a lower goal difference (Iraq +2, Jordan +6).

With five countries in Group B having three matches remaining, the point difference between Korea and third-placed Iraq has narrowed to 3 points. It has become increasingly challenging for Korea to secure a spot in the finals in the 8th match.

Jordan is Korea's opponent in the 8th match.

Korea will face Jordan in the 8th home match at Suwon World Cup Stadium on the 25th at 8 p.m. Victory in this match is essential for Hong Myung-bo's team to get closer to securing a berth in the finals.

In the third round of the Asian qualifiers, the top two teams from each group will secure direct tickets to the World Cup finals in North and Central America.

Jordan took the lead in the match against Palestine with a goal from center back Yazan Al-Araqi, who plays for FC Seoul in the K League 1, just 3 minutes into the first half. Al-Araqi consolidated the corner kick from the left with a left-footed volley, shaking the net. With an additional goal from Abdallah Nasib in the 11th minute, Jordan made it 2-0, but allowed a consolation goal to Tamer Sayyam in the 33rd minute. However, in stoppage time of the first half, striker Moussa Al-Tamari, from Stade Rennais in the French Ligue 1, took advantage of a defensive error to score a late goal, confirming the 3-1 victory.

Iraq fell behind 0-2 after conceding consecutive goals to Youssef Nasser in the 39th minute of the first half and the 25th minute of the second half against Kuwait. However, in stoppage time of the second half, Akham Ha? and Ibrahim Bayesh scored consecutively, dramatically leveling the match.

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