The opening round of the AFC FIFA World Cup 26 qualifiers gets under way on 12 October, as the 20 lowest-ranked nations from the confederation take part in a set of two-legged, winner-takes-all affairs to qualify for the opening group stage.

None of the 20 nations entering the first round, which includes the likes of Pakistan, Indonesia and Laos, have qualified for the tournament as an independent nation. However, with the World Cup extending from 32 teams to 48, there are now eight guaranteed AFC spots at the finals – with a potential ninth coming via the FIFA Play-off Tournament – meaning World Cup 26 will provide these nations with a better chance than ever before.

Ahead of qualifying, FIFA has taken a look at five players to keep an eye on during the opening round.

A product of the Manchester United youth ranks, Khan was eligible to represent Pakistan through his paternal grandfather, and made his debut for the national side in June 2023.

The Grimsby Town man is a versatile attacking threat who can play behind the striker or off either wing, and has impressed during his national career’s infancy. He’ll be looking to get off the mark and net his first goal for the nation in the crucial Cambodia clashes coming up.

Inspired by the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo in his early years, Gyeltshen, like his Portuguese idol, is his nation’s greatest-ever goalscorer, having netted a record 12 international goals, making him a certified football great in his homeland.

The similarities don’t stop there, either. Gyeltshen, similarly to his hero, is a predator inside the box who can finish with either foot, and is incredibly skilled with the ball at his feet. He will be one to watch out for when Bhutan take on Hong Kong.

A story of good scouting and pure coincidence led Sweden-born Sandberg into the Chinese Taipei set-up. Having played a year above his age group at former club Djurgardens, team-mate Karl Hu-Josefsson made the U-19 Chinese Taipei coach aware that Sandberg could play for the side via his mother’s roots. After phone calls and trials, Sandberg became a fully-fledged international.

Still just 21, Sandberg, who currently plays his football in the third tier of Swedish football on loan at Oskarshamns AIK, is one of the nation’s brightest prospects. He can play as an advanced midfielder or as the main focal point in attack, and will look to leave his mark on proceedings when Chinese Taipei take on Timor-Leste.

Centre-back Baggott’s experience on the international stage belies his tender years, as the 20-year-old looks to add to his 16 Indonesian caps when the nation face Brunei.

Baggott, who currently plays for English Championship side Ipswich Town, possesses a highly-desirable skill-set for a modern centre-back. Standing at 6ft 5in and strongest on his left foot, Baggott is composed with the ball at his feet and excellent in the air. He has played every minute of the Tractor Boys’ superb EFL Cup campaign, and will look to take that experience with him to the national side.

An industrious, hard-working defensive midfielder, Denmark-born Bhuyan is Bangladesh’s record appearance-maker with more than 70 caps to his name across a decade of stellar service.

Now aged 33 and playing in Argentina’s third tier, World Cup 26 could be his final chance to compete at the global finals, and he will be more desperate than ever to secure Bangladesh a third successive AFC qualifying group-stage berth.