Fri, 16 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Fabio Lima (UAE)

Kuala Lumpur: Fabio Lima will aim to make use of an impressive scoring record and a wealth of domestic and international experience when the midfielder turns out for the United Arab Emirates at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The 33-year-old, who has established himself as one of the UAE Pro League's most prolific players, will undoubtedly play a key role in The Whites’ campaign as they seek to improve on their Round of 16 showing at Qatar 2023.

Player to watch: Son Heung-min (KOR)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Son Heung-min (KOR)

Kuala Lumpur: Since scoring his first goal on the international stage for Korea Republic against India at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™, Son Heung-min has established himself as one of Asian football’s greats.

The 34-year-old will travel to Saudi Arabia to make a fifth and likely final attempt to lead his nation to their first AFC Asian Cup title since 1960 after going close to breaking that drought in 2015.

Player to watch: Ilhan Fandi (Singapore)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Ilhan Fandi (Singapore)

Kuala Lumpur: Football runs in Ilhan Fandi’s blood but the Singapore forward is determined to carve out his own legacy as the Lions prepare to make their long-awaited return to the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time since 1984.

The son of Singapore football legend Fandi Ahmad, Ilhan has steadily emerged as one of the nation’s brightest attacking talents, combining his physical presence with pace, intelligent movement and an eye for goal.

Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Kuala Lumpur: No one will relish the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ more than Aymen Hussein with the competition being of huge significance for the striker.

Hussein’s international career with Iraq can be looked at in three separate blocks with a slow start to his first 30 matches for his country before showing upward trajectory in his next two blocks of games.

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Kuala Lumpur: Goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov will look to duplicate his 2023 heroics in Qatar when Tajikistan return to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

A standout during the Central Asia side’s historic debut in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, Yatimov was instrumental in their run to the knockout stage, where he made the only save in a decisive 5-3 penalty shootout against the United Arab Emirates’ Caio Canedo to seal a memorable Round of 16 victory.

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Manama: Felix Sanchez has taken charge of Bahrain, with the Spaniard set to lead the West Asian nation at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Sanchez replaces Dragan Talajic, who parted ways with Bahrain following the recent Gulf Cup.

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Kuala Lumpur: Since introducing himself to the Australian public in spectacular fashion more than four years ago, Nestory Irankunda has become the next great hope in a Socceroos side that is beginning to draw favourable comparisons to the country’s golden generation.

Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to Burundian parents fleeing civil war in their homeland, Irankunda moved to Australia when he was three months old and started his journey towards the summit of the game at Adelaide United’s academy.

Player to watch: Zhang Yuning (CHN)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Zhang Yuning (CHN)

Kuala Lumpur: Striker Zhang Yuning will be pivotal to China PR’s hopes of a successful AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ as the nation attempts to banish the memories of a disappointing campaign in Qatar 2023.

The 29-year-old has been a mainstay of the side throughout the last decade, during which time he spent a prolonged period in Europe before returning to the Chinese Super League to excel for Beijing FC.

Title target as Suzuki seeks redemption

Sat, 10 Oct, 2026

Title target as Suzuki seeks redemption

Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s Zion Suzuki has set his sights on winning the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ to make amends for his errors at the previous edition of the continental championship and repay Hajime Moriyasu for the faith the Samurai Blue coach showed in the young goalkeeper.

Suzuki endured a baptism of fire at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ when, as a raw 21-year-old, he made several costly mistakes on the way to the country’s quarter-final exit at the hands of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

But, having since established himself at both club and international level, the towering goalkeeper is keen to pay back Moriyasu as the Japan head coach prepares for his final tournament in charge of the national team.

Player to watch: Gulzhigit Alykulov (KGZ)

Fri, 09 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Gulzhigit Alykulov (KGZ)

Kuala Lumpur: An ever-present member of the Kyrgyz Republic squad throughout the Qualifiers, Gulzhigit Alykulov is primed to make a strong impression at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Featuring in five of the six matches in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2, Alykulov scored the vital equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Malaysia to enable Kyrgyz Republic to pip the Southeast Asian side to second place behind Oman, thus booking their ticket to the Finals.

Player to watch: Omar Khrbin (SYR)

Thu, 08 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Omar Khrbin (SYR)

Kuala Lumpur: Proven striker Omar Khrbin will be central to Syria’s hopes when the Qasioun Eagles compete for continental glory at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The 2017 AFC Player of the Year – the first Syria footballer to win the award - combines fluid movement, composure and an eye for goal and remains one of his country’s most influential attacking players.

Player to watch: Mehdi Taremi (IR Iran)

Thu, 08 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Mehdi Taremi (IR Iran)

Kuala Lumpur: Talismanic striker Mehdi Taremi will look to end more than 50 years of AFC Asian Cup™ near-misses and disappointment for the Islamic Republic of Iran in Saudi Arabia 2027™ when the widely-travelled forward seeks to lead his nation to their first title since 1976.

The 34-year-old is already considered one of his nation’s finest-ever players, forging a successful career at the highest level in European club football as well as scoring at the FIFA World Cup.

Photos

Player to watch: Fabio Lima (UAE)

Fri, 16 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Fabio Lima (UAE)

Kuala Lumpur: Fabio Lima will aim to make use of an impressive scoring record and a wealth of domestic and international experience when the midfielder turns out for the United Arab Emirates at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The 33-year-old, who has established himself as one of the UAE Pro League's most prolific players, will undoubtedly play a key role in The Whites’ campaign as they seek to improve on their Round of 16 showing at Qatar 2023.

Player to watch: Son Heung-min (KOR)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Son Heung-min (KOR)

Kuala Lumpur: Since scoring his first goal on the international stage for Korea Republic against India at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™, Son Heung-min has established himself as one of Asian football’s greats.

The 34-year-old will travel to Saudi Arabia to make a fifth and likely final attempt to lead his nation to their first AFC Asian Cup title since 1960 after going close to breaking that drought in 2015.

Player to watch: Ilhan Fandi (Singapore)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Ilhan Fandi (Singapore)

Kuala Lumpur: Football runs in Ilhan Fandi’s blood but the Singapore forward is determined to carve out his own legacy as the Lions prepare to make their long-awaited return to the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time since 1984.

The son of Singapore football legend Fandi Ahmad, Ilhan has steadily emerged as one of the nation’s brightest attacking talents, combining his physical presence with pace, intelligent movement and an eye for goal.

Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Kuala Lumpur: No one will relish the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ more than Aymen Hussein with the competition being of huge significance for the striker.

Hussein’s international career with Iraq can be looked at in three separate blocks with a slow start to his first 30 matches for his country before showing upward trajectory in his next two blocks of games.

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Kuala Lumpur: Goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov will look to duplicate his 2023 heroics in Qatar when Tajikistan return to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

A standout during the Central Asia side’s historic debut in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, Yatimov was instrumental in their run to the knockout stage, where he made the only save in a decisive 5-3 penalty shootout against the United Arab Emirates’ Caio Canedo to seal a memorable Round of 16 victory.

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Manama: Felix Sanchez has taken charge of Bahrain, with the Spaniard set to lead the West Asian nation at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Sanchez replaces Dragan Talajic, who parted ways with Bahrain following the recent Gulf Cup.

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Kuala Lumpur: Since introducing himself to the Australian public in spectacular fashion more than four years ago, Nestory Irankunda has become the next great hope in a Socceroos side that is beginning to draw favourable comparisons to the country’s golden generation.

Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to Burundian parents fleeing civil war in their homeland, Irankunda moved to Australia when he was three months old and started his journey towards the summit of the game at Adelaide United’s academy.

Player to watch: Zhang Yuning (CHN)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Zhang Yuning (CHN)

Kuala Lumpur: Striker Zhang Yuning will be pivotal to China PR’s hopes of a successful AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ as the nation attempts to banish the memories of a disappointing campaign in Qatar 2023.

The 29-year-old has been a mainstay of the side throughout the last decade, during which time he spent a prolonged period in Europe before returning to the Chinese Super League to excel for Beijing FC.

Title target as Suzuki seeks redemption

Sat, 10 Oct, 2026

Title target as Suzuki seeks redemption

Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s Zion Suzuki has set his sights on winning the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ to make amends for his errors at the previous edition of the continental championship and repay Hajime Moriyasu for the faith the Samurai Blue coach showed in the young goalkeeper.

Suzuki endured a baptism of fire at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ when, as a raw 21-year-old, he made several costly mistakes on the way to the country’s quarter-final exit at the hands of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

But, having since established himself at both club and international level, the towering goalkeeper is keen to pay back Moriyasu as the Japan head coach prepares for his final tournament in charge of the national team.

Player to watch: Gulzhigit Alykulov (KGZ)

Fri, 09 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Gulzhigit Alykulov (KGZ)

Kuala Lumpur: An ever-present member of the Kyrgyz Republic squad throughout the Qualifiers, Gulzhigit Alykulov is primed to make a strong impression at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Featuring in five of the six matches in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2, Alykulov scored the vital equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Malaysia to enable Kyrgyz Republic to pip the Southeast Asian side to second place behind Oman, thus booking their ticket to the Finals.

Player to watch: Omar Khrbin (SYR)

Thu, 08 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Omar Khrbin (SYR)

Kuala Lumpur: Proven striker Omar Khrbin will be central to Syria’s hopes when the Qasioun Eagles compete for continental glory at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The 2017 AFC Player of the Year – the first Syria footballer to win the award - combines fluid movement, composure and an eye for goal and remains one of his country’s most influential attacking players.

Player to watch: Mehdi Taremi (IR Iran)

Thu, 08 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Mehdi Taremi (IR Iran)

Kuala Lumpur: Talismanic striker Mehdi Taremi will look to end more than 50 years of AFC Asian Cup™ near-misses and disappointment for the Islamic Republic of Iran in Saudi Arabia 2027™ when the widely-travelled forward seeks to lead his nation to their first title since 1976.

The 34-year-old is already considered one of his nation’s finest-ever players, forging a successful career at the highest level in European club football as well as scoring at the FIFA World Cup.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3029573.html

afc-newsletter

Videos

Player to watch: Fabio Lima (UAE)

Fri, 16 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Fabio Lima (UAE)

Kuala Lumpur: Fabio Lima will aim to make use of an impressive scoring record and a wealth of domestic and international experience when the midfielder turns out for the United Arab Emirates at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The 33-year-old, who has established himself as one of the UAE Pro League's most prolific players, will undoubtedly play a key role in The Whites’ campaign as they seek to improve on their Round of 16 showing at Qatar 2023.

Player to watch: Son Heung-min (KOR)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Son Heung-min (KOR)

Kuala Lumpur: Since scoring his first goal on the international stage for Korea Republic against India at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™, Son Heung-min has established himself as one of Asian football’s greats.

The 34-year-old will travel to Saudi Arabia to make a fifth and likely final attempt to lead his nation to their first AFC Asian Cup title since 1960 after going close to breaking that drought in 2015.

Player to watch: Ilhan Fandi (Singapore)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Ilhan Fandi (Singapore)

Kuala Lumpur: Football runs in Ilhan Fandi’s blood but the Singapore forward is determined to carve out his own legacy as the Lions prepare to make their long-awaited return to the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time since 1984.

The son of Singapore football legend Fandi Ahmad, Ilhan has steadily emerged as one of the nation’s brightest attacking talents, combining his physical presence with pace, intelligent movement and an eye for goal.

Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Kuala Lumpur: No one will relish the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ more than Aymen Hussein with the competition being of huge significance for the striker.

Hussein’s international career with Iraq can be looked at in three separate blocks with a slow start to his first 30 matches for his country before showing upward trajectory in his next two blocks of games.

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Kuala Lumpur: Goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov will look to duplicate his 2023 heroics in Qatar when Tajikistan return to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

A standout during the Central Asia side’s historic debut in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, Yatimov was instrumental in their run to the knockout stage, where he made the only save in a decisive 5-3 penalty shootout against the United Arab Emirates’ Caio Canedo to seal a memorable Round of 16 victory.

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Manama: Felix Sanchez has taken charge of Bahrain, with the Spaniard set to lead the West Asian nation at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Sanchez replaces Dragan Talajic, who parted ways with Bahrain following the recent Gulf Cup.

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Kuala Lumpur: Since introducing himself to the Australian public in spectacular fashion more than four years ago, Nestory Irankunda has become the next great hope in a Socceroos side that is beginning to draw favourable comparisons to the country’s golden generation.

Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to Burundian parents fleeing civil war in their homeland, Irankunda moved to Australia when he was three months old and started his journey towards the summit of the game at Adelaide United’s academy.

Player to watch: Zhang Yuning (CHN)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Zhang Yuning (CHN)

Kuala Lumpur: Striker Zhang Yuning will be pivotal to China PR’s hopes of a successful AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ as the nation attempts to banish the memories of a disappointing campaign in Qatar 2023.

The 29-year-old has been a mainstay of the side throughout the last decade, during which time he spent a prolonged period in Europe before returning to the Chinese Super League to excel for Beijing FC.

Title target as Suzuki seeks redemption

Sat, 10 Oct, 2026

Title target as Suzuki seeks redemption

Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s Zion Suzuki has set his sights on winning the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ to make amends for his errors at the previous edition of the continental championship and repay Hajime Moriyasu for the faith the Samurai Blue coach showed in the young goalkeeper.

Suzuki endured a baptism of fire at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ when, as a raw 21-year-old, he made several costly mistakes on the way to the country’s quarter-final exit at the hands of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

But, having since established himself at both club and international level, the towering goalkeeper is keen to pay back Moriyasu as the Japan head coach prepares for his final tournament in charge of the national team.

Player to watch: Gulzhigit Alykulov (KGZ)

Fri, 09 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Gulzhigit Alykulov (KGZ)

Kuala Lumpur: An ever-present member of the Kyrgyz Republic squad throughout the Qualifiers, Gulzhigit Alykulov is primed to make a strong impression at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Featuring in five of the six matches in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2, Alykulov scored the vital equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Malaysia to enable Kyrgyz Republic to pip the Southeast Asian side to second place behind Oman, thus booking their ticket to the Finals.

Player to watch: Omar Khrbin (SYR)

Thu, 08 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Omar Khrbin (SYR)

Kuala Lumpur: Proven striker Omar Khrbin will be central to Syria’s hopes when the Qasioun Eagles compete for continental glory at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The 2017 AFC Player of the Year – the first Syria footballer to win the award - combines fluid movement, composure and an eye for goal and remains one of his country’s most influential attacking players.

Player to watch: Mehdi Taremi (IR Iran)

Thu, 08 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Mehdi Taremi (IR Iran)

Kuala Lumpur: Talismanic striker Mehdi Taremi will look to end more than 50 years of AFC Asian Cup™ near-misses and disappointment for the Islamic Republic of Iran in Saudi Arabia 2027™ when the widely-travelled forward seeks to lead his nation to their first title since 1976.

The 34-year-old is already considered one of his nation’s finest-ever players, forging a successful career at the highest level in European club football as well as scoring at the FIFA World Cup.