Can an Asian team win the men's World Cup? - Asia Specific podcast, BBC World Service

There are more Asian teams competing in this year's FIFA World Cup than ever before, but can any of them win? Click here to subscribe to our channel 👉🏽 https://bbc.in/3VyyriM With the tournament expanding to 48 teams, Asia has nine nations plus New Zealand from the Oceania confederation competing for the prize across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Many, like Saudi Arabia and Iran are from the Middle East, but East and South East Asia will be represented by World Cup regulars Japan, South Korea and Australia. Despite decades of investment, growing fan bases and increasingly professional leagues, no men's team from Asia has ever reached a World Cup final. So what's holding the region back from the top level of global football? Why within Asia do Japan and South Korea consistently outperform their neighbours? And what has gone wrong with China's football ambitions? In this episode, host Mariko Oi speaks to BBC Chief Presenter Steve Lai and Business Correspondent Nick Marsh about Asia's football culture, the challenges facing emerging football nations and which teams have the best chance of making history. We also take a listen to South Korean footballer Son Heung-min in an interview with More Than the Score. Our podcast More than the Score is at the World Cup with the football stories that go beyond the stats. Search for it – More than the Score - wherever you get your BBC podcasts. 00:00 Introduction 02:27 With more Asian teams qualifying, can an Asian nation finally win the World Cup? 04:01 What counts as "Asia" in football? 06:08 Why many Asian fans will be watching overnight 06:41 Son Heung-min on South Korea's chances: interview with the BBC 07:34 How far can South Korea and Japan go at this World Cup? 08:10 More Asian stars moving abroad to European league 10:41 Why China's massive investment hasn't led to World Cup success 14:26 What must South East Asian countries do to reach the World Cup? 17:32 Which Asian country has the best chance of winning a World Cup in the future? Watch more episodes of Asia Specific here 👉🏽 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4c3njIxB0KHuO8SS2mBMtUc Instagram: @bbcworldservice Email: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Mariko Oi Producers: Derek Cai, Rachel Lee Camera: Muhammad Firdaus Bin Mohd Ansary, Rosalehin Bin Rosli, Fahmi Jamal Editor: Bill Birtles ---------------- This is the official BBC World Service YouTube channel. If you like what we do, you can also find us here: Instagram 👉🏽 https://www.instagram.com/bbcworldservice Twitter 👉🏽 https://twitter.com/bbcworldservice Facebook 👉🏽 https://facebook.com/bbcworldservice BBC World Service website 👉🏽 https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio Thanks for watching and subscribing! #BBCWorldService #WorldService #asiaspecific #worldcup #japan #southkorea