Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Draw: What they said

Washington: Friday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw revealed the challenges Asia’s finest will face in the expanded global showpiece next summer.

It was a draw which had everything and the Asian teams were understandably excited as they began to lay plans for their respective sides.

The-AFC.com listened to what they had to say.

Asia's hopefuls discover challengers

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Asia's hopefuls discover challengers

Washington: Asia's representatives learnt their FIFA World Cup 2026 challengers following the conclusion of the draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on Friday.

The 48 teams were drawn into 12 groups for the global showpiece which will take place in Canada, Mexico and the United States on June 11-July 19, 2026.

Final draw: All you need to know

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Final draw: All you need to know

Kuala Lumpur: The Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be held on Friday and it promises to be a spectacular affair.

The expanded 48-team tournament - up from the 32-nation field that competed at the FIFA World Cup 2022 - will be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year.

With Asia set to be well represented, the-AFC.com brings you all the details of the Final Draw.

#AsianQualifiers – Vote for your Top Goal of the Playoffs presented by VISA

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

#AsianQualifiers – Vote for your Top Goal of the Playoffs presented by VISA

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers ™ – Road to 26 Playoffs served up the full spread: late drama, nerveless finishes and strikes you could frame.

We've shortlisted the pick of the goals from the Playoffs — some born of slick team craft, others from pure individual audacity. Relive the moments below and back your favourite.

#AsianQualifiers – Match Predictor Recap

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

#AsianQualifiers – Match Predictor Recap

Kuala Lumpur: From Matchday 1 to the final playoff whistle, the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 served up everything: runaway leaders, shock upsets, late dramas, and those razor-edged calls that separated the cautious from the courageous.

Here's the Post-Tournament Recap for Match Predictor players—best picks, biggest shocks, and the moments that swung leagues and ladders.

Qualifiers - Final Round: How the Groups stand

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Final Round: How the Groups stand

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Five of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round had it all as the games lit up the continent.

A thrilling round of action saw Singapore make history, heartbreak and battles to the end set up, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the groups stand with just one matchday remaining.

Arnold urges focus as Iraq get set for Bolivia or Suriname showdown

Fri, 21 Nov, 2025

Arnold urges focus as Iraq get set for Bolivia or Suriname showdown

Kuala Lumpur: Graham Arnold has called for determination and focus after Iraq were drawn to face either Bolivia or Suriname in a single, winners-take-all FIFA Playoff Tournament tie next March for a place at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The draw, conducted at FIFA headquarters in Zürich, placed Iraq directly into the final stage of the inter-confederation playoff as one of the two seeded teams, bypassing the bracket semi-finals and standing just one match away from a historic return to football’s biggest stage.

Kim hails Vietnam’s winning mentality

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Kim hails Vietnam’s winning mentality

Vientiane: Kim Sang-sik was impressed with the performance of Vietnam after they came through a stern Laos test to win their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group F tie 2-0 on Wednesday.

Laos proved to be stubborn opponents and limited Vietnam’s attacking threats before Nguyen Xuan Son’s 68th minute penalty broke the deadlock, with Pham Tuan Hai putting the seal on the win late on.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/photo/group-f-nepal-v-malaysia-1

Qualifiers - Group F: Laos 0-2 Vietnam

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Group F: Laos 0-2 Vietnam

Vientiane: Vietnam kept the pressure on Malaysia after digging deep to beat Laos 2-0 in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group F tie at Lao National Stadium KM16 on Wednesday.

Nguyen Xuan Son, returning to action for Vietnam for the first time since January, and Pham Tuan Hai scored in the second half to take their team back to three points behind Malaysia with the sides to meet in March to decide the group winners..

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/video/asianqualifiers-road-to-26-playoffs-|-iraq-2-1-uae