Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Qatar was drawn in Group C alongside China, Maldives, Bhutanand Hong Kong in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Preliminary qualification draw held in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. The draw saw 40 teams divided into eight groups of five in this phase of qualifying. The Draw: Group A: 1. UAE 2. Saudi Arabia 3. Palestine 4. Timor-Leste5. Malaysia Group B: 1. Australia 2. Jordan 3. Tajikistan 4. Kyrgyzstan5.Bangladesh Group C:1. China 2. Qatar 3. Maldives 4. Bhutan5. Hong Kong Group D: 1. Iran 2. Oman 3. India 4. Turkmenistan5. Guam Group E: 1. Japan 2. Syria 3. Afghanistan 4. Singapore 5. Cambodia Group F: 1. Iraq 2. Vietnam 3. Thailand 4. Indonesia 5. Chinese Taipei Group G: 1. Korea Republic 2. Kuwait 3. Lebanon 4. Myanmar 5. Laos Group H: 1. Uzbekistan 2. Bahrain 3. Philippines 4. DPR Korea 5. Yemen The teams will compete according to a double round robin format, and the Round 2 qualification matches will be held from June 11, 2015 to March 29, 2016. The group winners and four best runners-up (total 12 teams) will advance to the final round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.