Round 2 - MD2: Facts & Figures

Thu, 23 Nov, 2023

Round 2 - MD2: Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: After two matchdays, the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ takes a break and will return in March.

While it is still early days, Matchday Two provided a glimpse of how the second round could eventually finish so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the facts and figures from an eventful round of action.

Round 2 - MD2: 5 things we learned

Thu, 23 Nov, 2023

Round 2 - MD2: 5 things we learned

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Two of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ saw exciting action, comebacks and upsets.

With the qualifying action to resume in March, attention now turns to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ with 24 of the 36 teams competing in Round 2 of the qualifiers to contest for the coveted trophy.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at five things we learned from Matchday Two.

Polking leaves Thailand

Thu, 23 Nov, 2023

Polking leaves Thailand

Bangkok: Thailand's national men's football team have parted ways with head coach Alexandre Polking, officials said on Wednesday. 

Team manager Nualphan Lamsam said Polking would be replaced by Masatada Ishii, the 56-year-old Japanese coach who led Buriram United to Thai Premier League titles in 2022 and 2023.

Preparation key for Palestine

Thu, 23 Nov, 2023

Preparation key for Palestine

Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Makram Daboub said he will pay attention to detail after Palestine were drawn in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™. 

Set to make only their third appearance in the Finals, Palestine will face three-time champions Islamic Republic of Iran, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong, China in their bid to make the knockout stage for the first time. 

Oman ready to go all the way

Thu, 23 Nov, 2023

Oman ready to go all the way

Kuala Lumpur: Oman will feel they are primed for a best ever AFC Asian Cup™ finish at Qatar 2023 after a recent run of commendable results.

Branko Ivankovic's side have continued from where they left off in a stirring FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying campaign and look well equipped to launch a challenge for the AFC Asian Cup title. 

#AFCU23 Qatar 2024 groups finalised

Mon, 25 Mar, 2024

#AFCU23 Qatar 2024 groups finalised

Doha: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ has all the ingredients to be a thriller following the official draw in Doha on Thursday.

Defending champions Saudi Arabia lead the cast, with former winners Korea Republic (2020), Uzbekistan (2018), Japan (2016) and Iraq (2013) also looking to become the first team to lift the coveted trophy for a second time.