الأخبار

New pastures for Fujio, Al Obud

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

New pastures for Fujio, Al Obud

Kuala Lumpur: Shota Fujio completed a permanent move to Kashiwa Reysol from FC Machida Zelvia after two seasons with the club.

Over in Saudi Arabia, Abdulrahman Al Oboud was confirmed as Al Shabab FC’s new signing.

Arnold promises a strong Iraq

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

Arnold promises a strong Iraq

Baghdad: Graham Arnold has vowed that Iraq will work to be a force in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ after the Australian signed a contract extension as head coach on Monday.

The new contract will see the tactician in charge of Iraq for September's Gulf Cup and the continental showpiece in January, with Arnold signing a six-month extension although the Iraq Football Association had offered a four-year deal

Preview: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v Auckland FC (NZL)

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Preview: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v Auckland FC (NZL)

Jeddah: Two-time Asian champions Al Ahli Saudi FC will look to make full use of home advantage when they face Auckland FC in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup Playoff of the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup on Wednesday.

Al Ahli secured their spot in the competition after defending their AFC Champions League Elite™ title with an extra-time 1-0 win against FC Machida Zelvia in April.

Europe Wrap: Dream La Liga start for Lee

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Europe Wrap: Dream La Liga start for Lee

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic’s Lee Kang-in netted on his debut for Atletico Madrid as the midfielder joined Saudi Arabia’s Saud Abdulhamid, Syria's Aiham Ousou and Japan’s Ayumu Yokoyama in scoring their first goals of the season.

Other Asian stars also made first appearances as the English Premier League, French Ligue 1, Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga kicked off their 2026/27 season, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

#AFCU20 China 2027 Qualifiers to kick off with new format

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

#AFCU20 China 2027 Qualifiers to kick off with new format

Kuala Lumpur: The journey towards the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ begins on August 31 (Monday), 2026 with the first round of matches in the centralised Qualifiers.

Taking place for a 23rd time since being introduced in 1980, this iteration of the qualification pathway offers 15 berths at next year’s Finals and sees the maiden implementation of a two-tiered format.

West Asia Wrap: Al Nassr set early pace; winning start for Al Sadd

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Nassr set early pace; winning start for Al Sadd

Doha: Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of the season as champions Al Nassr Club cruised to a 4-0 win against Al Riyadh in their Saudi Pro League 2026/27 tie.

Akram Afif also got his first of the season as defending champions Al Sadd SC kicked off their new campaign with a 3-1 defeat of Al Ahli.

Defending champions Al Ain were among four teams who won their second successive matches in the UAE Pro League while Air Force SC had to settle for a second draw in as many matches.

Central & South Asia Wrap: IR Iran welcomes new season; East Bengal clinch Durand Cup

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: IR Iran welcomes new season; East Bengal clinch Durand Cup

Tehran: The Iran Pro League returned to action with its 2026/27 season following the suspension of the 2025/26 edition in February, with the league now expanded from 16 to 18 teams. 

East Bengal FC claimed the 2026 Durand Cup in India after a 22-year wait, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: JDT create history; Chengdu stunned in nine-goal thriller

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: JDT create history; Chengdu stunned in nine-goal thriller

Kuala Lumpur: Johor Darul Ta'zim began their Malaysia Super League title defence in emphatic fashion, beating Kuching City 3-0 to set a world record unbeaten league run to 109 matches.

Chengdu Rongcheng suffered a dramatic defeat but remain well clear at the Chinese Super League summit, while FC Machida Zelvia, Kashiwa Reysol and defending champions Kashima Antlers maintained their perfect starts in Japan.

FC Seoul strengthened their grip on top spot in Korea Republic with a seven-goal rout, while five teams made winning starts as the new Hong Kong Premier League season got underway.

Boubina, Millot strengthen Al Diriyah

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Boubina, Millot strengthen Al Diriyah

Kuala Lumpur: Al Diriyah are leaving no stones unturned as they look to make good on their historic debut season in the Saudi Pro League with the capture of Adil Boubina and Enzo Millot.

Al Diriyah, who secured back-to-back promotions the past two seasons, finished third in the Saudi First Division and went on to beat Al Ula in the playoffs.

Group Stage cast decided

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Group Stage cast decided

Kuala Lumpur: The cast for the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27™ Group Stage was finalised on Sunday, with six teams booking their tickets.

They join defending champions Naegohyang Women’s FC of DPR Korea, Melbourne City FC (AUS), Hwacheon KSPO WFC (KOR), INAC Kobe Leonessa (JPN), Beijing Jingtan Football Club (CHN) and Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (VIE), with the Group Stage Draw scheduled for September 3.

PS - Group C: Banaat FC (UAE) 0-7 PFC Nasaf (UZB)

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

PS - Group C: Banaat FC (UAE) 0-7 PFC Nasaf (UZB)

Qarshi: Uzbekistan’s PFC Nasaf became the final team to confirm their spot in the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27™ Group Stage after defeating Banaat FC 7-0 on Sunday.

The win saw Nasaf stay perfect in Group C with three wins and head coach Botir Kodirkulov can start looking forward to bettering last season’s run to the quarter-finals.

PS - Group E: Al Nassr Club (KSA) 12-0 FC CSKA Dushanbe (TJK)

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

PS - Group E: Al Nassr Club (KSA) 12-0 FC CSKA Dushanbe (TJK)

Hisor: Clara Luvanga netted a stunning seven goals as Al Nassr Club overwhelmed Tajikistan’s FC CSKA Dushanbe 12-0 to wrap up their AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27™ Preliminary Stage Group E fixtures in style on Sunday. 

Hessa Al Isa added three to move the Saudi Arabia side to five points while Dushanbe finished with three defeats.