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Asian officials ready to shine at FIFA World Cup 2026

Sat, 11 Apr, 2026

Asian officials ready to shine at FIFA World Cup 2026

Kuala Lumpur: A total of 25 Asian match officials have been appointed for the FIFA World Cup 2026 – six more than in the 2022 edition of the global showpiece.

In a landmark achievement for the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) sterling efforts in developing elite refereeing talent, the upcoming tournament will mark the first-ever appointment of an AFC Referee Academy graduate in Abdullah Alshehri, who was selected as a Video Match Official (VMO).

Arnold: Iraq will surprise the world

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Arnold: Iraq will surprise the world

Monterrey: Graham Arnold expects Iraq to take the FIFA World Cup 2026 by storm after the West Asian nation confirmed qualification with a 2-1 win against Bolivia in their playoff on Tuesday.

Aymen Hussein netted the winner in the 53rd minute after Moises Paniagua had cancelled out Ali Al Hamadi's 10th minute opener as Iraq sealed a return to the global showpiece for the first time since making their debut 40 years ago.

Stevanovic proud of Tajikistan’s tenacity

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Stevanovic proud of Tajikistan’s tenacity

Hisor: Head coach Goran Stevanovic hailed Tajikistan’s collective spirit after his side sealed qualification for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, stressing that unity and belief proved decisive in a hard-fought campaign.

A tense 1-1 draw against the Philippines in their final Group A qualifying tie at the Hisor Central Stadium on Tuesday sent Tajikistan through, with Sheriddin Boboev’s first-half equaliser securing the crucial point. 

The result saw both teams finishing on 14 points, with Tajikistan advancing with a superior goal difference.

Moriyasu: Beating England a boost to Japan's confidence

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Moriyasu: Beating England a boost to Japan's confidence

London: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu said his team's historic 1-0 win against England on Tuesday would give them the confidence to make a major impact at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Kaoru Mitoma's composed finish in the first half of the friendly at Wembley condemned England to their first ever defeat at the hands of an Asian nation.

After two losses and a draw in three previous meetings dating back to 1995, Japan were finally able to savour a victory over England on a memorable evening for Moriyasu's side.

Hussein powers Iraq to Finals

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Hussein powers Iraq to Finals

Monterrey: Aymen Hussein scored the winner as Iraq booked their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after defeating Bolivia 2-1 in their playoff at Monterrey Stadium on Tuesday.

The win sees the West Asian side return to the global showpiece for the first time since making their debut in 1986, ironically when the tournament was last held in Mexico.

Iraq will have France, Senegal and Norway for company in Group I of the global showpiece. 

Hudson delighted as Thailand show resilience to qualify

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Hudson delighted as Thailand show resilience to qualify

Bangkok: Anthony Hudson was a relieved man after Thailand dug deep to overcome Turkmenistan 2-1 to advance to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ following a pulsating tie at Rajamangala Stadium on Tuesday.

Thailand were staring at elimination with the score tied at 1-1 as Turkmenistan held the better head-to-head record having won the reverse fixture 3-1 but Manuel Bihr’s 89th minute goal turned agony into ecstasy for the War Elephants.

AFC President congratulates teams on sealing AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ berths

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

AFC President congratulates teams on sealing AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ berths

Kuala Lumpur: Following a gripping series of matches in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round on Tuesday, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has extended his heartfelt congratulations to the five nations that secured their places for the Continental showpiece, which will be held from January 7 to February 5 next year.

Tajikistan topped Group A on goal difference, whilst Thailand clinched pole position in Group D on the final matchday to join history-makers Singapore, Syria and Vietnam, who had previously confirmed their status in earlier rounds.

Qualifiers - Group E: Syria 5-1 Afghanistan

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Qualifiers - Group E: Syria 5-1 Afghanistan

Al Ahsa: Syria completed a sterling AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group E campaign with a 5-1 win against Afghanistan on Tuesday.

Having gone into the match with qualification already secured, the victory took Syria to 18 points while Afghanistan finished on two. 

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/photo/group-e-pakistan-v-myanmar-syria-v-afghanistan

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/photo/group-a-maldives-v-timor-leste-tajikistan-v-philippines

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD6 Results & Reports

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD6 Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Tajikistan and Thailand booked their tickets to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ after topping their respective groups in the final round of the Qualifiers on Tuesday.

Tajikistan took the Group A top spot after coming from behind to force a 1-1 draw with the Philippines, with the Central Asian side advancing thanks to a superior goal difference.

Thailand left it late in their Group D decider against Turkmenistan, with the Southeast Asian side scoring in the 89th minute to clinch a 2-1 win.

Tajikistan and Thailand join Singapore (Group C), Syria (Group E) and Vietnam (Group F) at the Finals, which will also feature the 18 teams from the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26. The team from Group B, meanwhile, will be decided in June with Lebanon and Yemen to square off for the top spot.

Qualifiers - Group A: Tajikistan 1-1 Philippines

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

Qualifiers - Group A: Tajikistan 1-1 Philippines

Hisor: Sheriddin Boboev’s first half strike secured Tajikistan a vital 1-1 draw with the Philippines as the Central Asian side booked their spot at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with a top-place finish in Group A of the Final Round of the Qualifiers on Tuesday.

Both sides finished level on 14 points, with Tajikistan advancing due to a superior goal difference as the Philippines suffered the heartbreak of missing out.