One of the continent’s performing teams in recent years, the West Asian side will fancy their chances of sealing one of the eight automatic spots available for the 2026 global showpiece.
Factfile
How they got there: Round 2 Group H runners-up
۲۰۲۲ AFC Asian Qualifiers Record: Eliminated in second round
Previous FIFA World Cup appearances: Nil
Head Coach: Dragan Talajic (CRO)
Fun Fact: Bahrain are making their comeback to the third round after missing out in the previous two editions
Head coach Dragan Talajic has challenged his players to take Bahrain to their first FIFA World Cup Finals, with the Croatian confident his side have the quality to create history.
“It is time for this generation to make something,” said Talajic to local media after Bahrain had confirmed a spot in the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.
“Bahrain has twice come within one step of going to the World Cup but were unlucky. People say if you have twice been unlucky, it will come true at the third time.”

The two occasions Talajic was referring to was a 2-1 aggregate loss against Trinidad and Tobago in the AFC-Concacaf playoff for Germany 2006 that was followed by another playoff defeat four years later, this time against New Zealand.
“We will try to do our best. This is something special and, step by step, we will qualify. We will surprise some people even though we will face tough opponents.
“Now, what will be coming are tough games. Every single point is very important but I truly trust my boys. I believe we can reach a much better level than we showed in some our games (in the second round). It will be difficult but we know our way and we know our target.”