الأخبار

#AsianQualifiers - Vote for your VISA Best Goal of MD9 & 10

Sat, 14 Jun, 2025

#AsianQualifiers - Vote for your VISA Best Goal of MD9 & 10

Kuala Lumpur: The third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 concluded on Tuesday, June 10 with thrilling action across Asia. 

Islamic Republic of Iran, Uzbekistan, Korea Republic, Jordan, Japan and Australia have all now secured automatic qualification to next year’s FIFA World Cup while the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia kept their dreams alive by progressing to the fourth round. 
 
Following the decisive final couple of matchdays, the-AFC.com picks the best goals scored from Matchdays Nine and Ten so and asks you, the fans of Asian football, to vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article. 

Facts & Figures

Thu, 12 Jun, 2025

Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: The revamped FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to be a cracking tournament.

As Asia’s challengers set themselves to face illustrious opponents, the-AFC.com takes a look at what is in store at the global showpiece.

Hosts of AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs confirmed

Thu, 12 Jun, 2025

Hosts of AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed the Qatar Football Association and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation as the Host Member Associations for the upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs.

Six teams, the third and fourth-placed sides from the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26, namely Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, will be divided into two groups of three teams to do battle in a centralised format from October 8 to 14, 2025, with the group winners securing the two remaining automatic berths at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Know your team: Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Know your team: Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)

Kuala Lumpur: Urawa Red Diamonds will be hoping for a better outcome when they compete in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Set to make their fourth appearance in the global tourney, Urawa will head into the tournament in confident mode as they are well in the mix for the J1 League title.

Japan remain Asia’s best

Fri, 13 Jun, 2025

Japan remain Asia’s best

Kuala Lumpur: Japan stayed as the best ranked Asian side in the latest FIFA Women’s World Ranking released on Thursday!

Nils Nielsen’s side drew twice against Colombia in April and lost twice against Brazil in friendly matches played in June but despite dropping two spots, remained Asia’s highest ranked side at seventh.

#AsianQualifiers - Facts & Figures

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

#AsianQualifiers - Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: Asia's automatic qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 were confirmed following the conclusion of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 on Tuesday.

There is, however, still hope for six teams but they will have to navigate through the playoffs to book a spot in next year's global showpiece to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The-AFC.com highlights several key facts and figures from an intense qualifying campaign that saw history being made.

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD2 review

Thu, 12 Jun, 2025

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD2 review

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Two of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round lived up to expectations with high quality action.

With only the six groups winners to advance to the Finals, several teams took a major step towards qualification with impressive results.

The-AFC.com takes a look at how the groups stand, with four matchdays remaining.

Season Review: Asian stars shine in Europe

Mon, 09 Jun, 2025

Season Review: Asian stars shine in Europe

Kuala Lumpur: A host of Asian players ended their 2024/25 season on a high with starring roles in their respective teams’ capture of major silverware.

The-AFC.com takes a look back at their achievements across key European leagues. 

Know your team: Ulsan HD (KOR)

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Know your team: Ulsan HD (KOR)

Kuala Lumpur: Ulsan HD will take the step-by-step approach in the FIFA Club World Cup with the Korea Republic side having been set an initial Round of 16 target.

Set to make their third appearance in the global tourney, Ulsan finished sixth in the 2020 edition.

Hong hails youngsters as Korea Republic sign off in style

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Hong hails youngsters as Korea Republic sign off in style

Seoul: Korea Republic head coach Hong Myung-bo praised his young charges after they capped their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 campaign with a commanding 4-0 win over Kuwait at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Tuesday.

With top spot already secured, Korea Republic played with fluidity and swept aside Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side thanks to goals from Jeon Jin-woo, Lee Kang-in, Oh Hyeon-gyu and Lee Jae-sung to finish unbeaten on 22 points.

Japan’s depth thrills Moriyasu; Indonesia’s Kluivert promises improvement

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Japan’s depth thrills Moriyasu; Indonesia’s Kluivert promises improvement

Suita: Head coach Hajime Moriyasu was delighted to see emerging talents stake a claim for places in the Japan squad after impressive performances in their 6-0 win against Indonesia in their final AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group C tie on Tuesday.

Junnosuke Suzuki, Shunsuke Mito, Kodai Sano and Sato were all given their international bows by Moriyasu as the 56-year-old tactician rang in the changes following Thursday’s 1-0 reverse to Australia.

Jaber applauds Oman’s determination

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Jaber applauds Oman’s determination

Amman: Head coach Rashid Jaber praised his players for their unwavering belief after Oman scored in stoppage time to hold Palestine to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B tie on Tuesday.

The point secured Oman a spot in the playoffs, keeping their dreams of an inaugural appearance at the FIFA World Cup alive.