Japan kicks off World Cup qualification with Myanmar win

Only the top team from the eight groups and the four best second-placed finishers progress to the next stage.

Huh? Typically dont the top two teams from each group go on to the next stage? How would they be able to accurately determine the next 4 teams from 8 groups, when potentially there will be teams with identical records and goals scored/given?

Right it's the top two from each group and then the next four!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_FIFA_World_Cupqualification(AFC)#Ranking_of_runner-up_teams

Best of luck Team Japan!

How would they be able to accurately determine the next 4 teams from 8 groups, when potentially there will be teams with identical records and goals scored/given?

As always in FIFA tournaments (including world cups of any age)

1.Points

2.Overall goal difference

3.Overall goals scored

4.Fair play points

5.Coin Toss

Wait, they’re starting World Cup qualifiers already? It’s three years out! Isn’t that a bit too early? What gives?