Socceroos tactician Graham Arnold headlines latest Coaches Circle

Thu, 03 Aug, 2023

Socceroos tactician Graham Arnold headlines latest Coaches Circle

Kuala Lumpur: The 10th issue of the Coaches Circle, now available on the-AFC.com, shines the spotlight on Australia’s Graham Arnold who was amongst the Asian coaches making headlines at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. 

Under Arnold, the Socceroos earned their highest point tally at the Group Stage of the global showpiece to date and gave eventual world champions Argentina a late scare before ultimately losing 2-1 to end their remarkable campaign in the Round of 16.

“Rehabilitation Through Football” continues to impact lives in Nepal

Wed, 02 Aug, 2023

“Rehabilitation Through Football” continues to impact lives in Nepal

Kathmandu: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s consistent efforts to harness the power of the beautiful game to strengthen the communities of its Member Associations (MAs) was further underlined when the “Prison Football, Rehabilitation Through Football” programme, which was launched in Nepal last year, successfully concluded in July 2023. 

Supported by the AFC Dream Asia Foundation (ADAF), the programme was a three-way collaborative effort between the AFC, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) and the Shelter Ashraya Nepal (SAN), a non-governmental organisation, committed to creating sustainable change and empowering vulnerable communities in Nepal. 

It’s My Game: The meteoric rise of Palestine’s Heba Saadieh

Wed, 02 Aug, 2023

It’s My Game: The meteoric rise of Palestine’s Heba Saadieh

In this episode of “It’s My Game”, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) shares the inspiring story of Heba Saadieh, the Palestinian referee who has carved a niche for herself on the global stage. 

Saadieh, who has been a mainstay in the AFC’s roster of match officials, created history yesterday when she took the field as an assistant referee in the Group Stage match between China and England at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, making her the first Palestinian, male or female, to officiate at the global showpiece. 

Fourth batch of AFC FMC graduates inspired to strengthen Asian football

Mon, 31 Jul, 2023

Fourth batch of AFC FMC graduates inspired to strengthen Asian football

Kuala Lumpur: Delighted individuals celebrated their graduation today from the fourth edition of the Football Management Certificate (FMC) programme, the landmark initiative from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) that enhances the foundation for future Asian football leaders.

The graduates, from AFC Member Associations (MAs), Regional Associations (RAs) and independent stakeholders, concluded their eight-month programme equipped with the knowledge, skills, tools and processes to lift football to greater heights.

#AsianQualifiers draw - What They Said

Sat, 29 Jul, 2023

#AsianQualifiers draw - What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 and Round 2 draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 and Round 2 draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

#AsianQualifiers draw - What They Said

Fri, 28 Jul, 2023

#AsianQualifiers draw - What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 and Round 2 draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

Teams across Asia found out who their opponents are, in the battle to reach the Finals of two of the premier national competitions in the world of football.

the-AFC.com caught up with head coaches Philippe Troussier (Vietnam), Kim Pan-gon (Malaysia) and Aleksandar Jankovic (China PR), who were all in attendance for the draw to find out their reactions to the upcoming Asian Qualifiers that are scheduled to begin on October 12 .

AFC and Qatar 2023 LOC reiterate ambitions to stage grandest Continental spectacle

Fri, 28 Jul, 2023

AFC and Qatar 2023 LOC reiterate ambitions to stage grandest Continental spectacle

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) successfully concluded a two-day visit by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Thursday, as preparations continue apace for the Continental showpiece.

Headed by CEO Jassim Abdulaziz Al Jassim, the six-member LOC delegation arrived in Malaysia’s capital city on Wednesday morning and proceeded to meet their AFC counterparts, led by AFC Deputy General Secretary – Competitions and Football, Shin Man Gil, in the afternoon.

AFC General Secretary meets with Asia’s leading head coaches

Tue, 01 Aug, 2023

AFC General Secretary meets with Asia’s leading head coaches

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John met with some of the Continent's most renowned head coaches at the sidelines of the official draw ceremonies of the Preliminary Joint Qualifier Round 1 and Round 2 of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, which was held at the AFC House on Thursday. 

Amongst the luminary head coaches were China PR's technician Aleksandar Jankovic, Malaysia's Korea Republic tactician Kim Pan Gon, as well as AFC Asian Cup™ Lebanon 2000 title-winning coach Philippe Troussier who was recently appointed to lead Vietnam. The Socceroos' all-time men's leading scorer Tim Cahill, who clinched the AFC Asian Cup™ title with Australia on home soil in 2015, was also in attendance.