AFC Asian Cup - Landing Page

News

Player to watch: Akram Afif (QAT)

Wed, 21 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Akram Afif (QAT)

Kuala Lumpur: Few players have had a greater influence on Qatar's rise in Asian football than attacking midfielder Akram Afif, who was instrumental in the Maroons' historic back-to-back AFC Asian Cup™ triumphs.

As the West Asian side look towards defending their title at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, the two-time AFC Player of the Year's experience, creativity and ability to shine on decisive occasions will once again place him in the spotlight.

AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Competition Regulations

Player to watch: Takefusa Kubo (JPN)

Sun, 18 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Takefusa Kubo (JPN)

Kuala Lumpur: Takefusa Kubo has been hailed as the future of Japanese football since turning up at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy as a 10-year-old, his every move and development watched by an expectant fan base hoping to embrace the country’s next superstar.

Now 25, the career of the Kawasaki-born playmaker has not panned out quite how some expected but the Real Sociedad man has still managed to establish himself as a key player in Hajime Moriyasu’s squad.

Player to watch: Nasser Al Gahwashi (YEM)

Sun, 18 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nasser Al Gahwashi (YEM)

Kuala Lumpur: Nasser Al Gahwashi has already delivered one of the defining moments in Yemen's journey to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and the influential midfielder will be looking to inspire the West Asian side to greater heights when they return to the continental stage.

A creative spark in midfield with an eye for goal, Al Gahwashi has established himself as one of Yemen's most important players, combining his technical ability with a knack for producing decisive contributions.

Player to watch: Nguyen Quang Hai (VIE)

Sat, 17 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nguyen Quang Hai (VIE)

Kuala Lumpur: Nguyen Quang Hai exploded onto the scene at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ and has firmly established himself as one of the foremost players to come out of Vietnam but not without its bumps and hurdles along the way.

At 20 years old, he had already scored his first senior international goal in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in 2017 against Cambodia but it was the arrival of Park Hang-seo as head coach for both the Under-23s and full senior set-up that turned Quang Hai into a household name.

Player to watch: Fabio Lima (UAE)

Fri, 16 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Fabio Lima (UAE)

Kuala Lumpur: Fabio Lima will aim to make use of an impressive scoring record and a wealth of domestic and international experience when the midfielder turns out for the United Arab Emirates at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The 33-year-old, who has established himself as one of the UAE Pro League's most prolific players, will undoubtedly play a key role in The Whites’ campaign as they seek to improve on their Round of 16 showing at Qatar 2023.

Player to watch: Son Heung-min (KOR)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Son Heung-min (KOR)

Kuala Lumpur: Since scoring his first goal on the international stage for Korea Republic against India at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™, Son Heung-min has established himself as one of Asian football’s greats.

The 34-year-old will travel to Saudi Arabia to make a fifth and likely final attempt to lead his nation to their first AFC Asian Cup title since 1960 after going close to breaking that drought in 2015.

Player to watch: Ilhan Fandi (Singapore)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Ilhan Fandi (Singapore)

Kuala Lumpur: Football runs in Ilhan Fandi’s blood but the Singapore forward is determined to carve out his own legacy as the Lions prepare to make their long-awaited return to the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time since 1984. 

The son of Singapore football legend Fandi Ahmad, Ilhan has steadily emerged as one of the nation’s brightest attacking talents, combining his physical presence with pace, intelligent movement and an eye for goal.

Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Kuala Lumpur: No one will relish the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ more than Aymen Hussein with the competition being of huge significance for the striker.

Hussein’s international career with Iraq can be looked at in three separate blocks with a slow start to his first 30 matches for his country before showing upward trajectory in his next two blocks of games.

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Kuala Lumpur: Goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov will look to duplicate his 2023 heroics in Qatar when Tajikistan return to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™. 

A standout during the Central Asia side’s historic debut in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, Yatimov was instrumental in their run to the knockout stage, where he made the only save in a decisive 5-3 penalty shootout against the United Arab Emirates’ Caio Canedo to seal a memorable Round of 16 victory.

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Manama: Felix Sanchez has taken charge of Bahrain, with the Spaniard set to lead the West Asian nation at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Sanchez replaces Dragan Talajic, who parted ways with Bahrain following the recent Gulf Cup.

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Kuala Lumpur: Since introducing himself to the Australian public in spectacular fashion more than four years ago, Nestory Irankunda has become the next great hope in a Socceroos side that is beginning to draw favourable comparisons to the country’s golden generation.

Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to Burundian parents fleeing civil war in their homeland, Irankunda moved to Australia when he was three months old and started his journey towards the summit of the game at Adelaide United’s academy.

Photos

Player to watch: Akram Afif (QAT)

Wed, 21 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Akram Afif (QAT)

Kuala Lumpur: Few players have had a greater influence on Qatar's rise in Asian football than attacking midfielder Akram Afif, who was instrumental in the Maroons' historic back-to-back AFC Asian Cup™ triumphs.

As the West Asian side look towards defending their title at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, the two-time AFC Player of the Year's experience, creativity and ability to shine on decisive occasions will once again place him in the spotlight.

Player to watch: Takefusa Kubo (JPN)

Sun, 18 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Takefusa Kubo (JPN)

Kuala Lumpur: Takefusa Kubo has been hailed as the future of Japanese football since turning up at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy as a 10-year-old, his every move and development watched by an expectant fan base hoping to embrace the country’s next superstar.

Now 25, the career of the Kawasaki-born playmaker has not panned out quite how some expected but the Real Sociedad man has still managed to establish himself as a key player in Hajime Moriyasu’s squad.

Player to watch: Nasser Al Gahwashi (YEM)

Sun, 18 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nasser Al Gahwashi (YEM)

Kuala Lumpur: Nasser Al Gahwashi has already delivered one of the defining moments in Yemen's journey to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and the influential midfielder will be looking to inspire the West Asian side to greater heights when they return to the continental stage.

A creative spark in midfield with an eye for goal, Al Gahwashi has established himself as one of Yemen's most important players, combining his technical ability with a knack for producing decisive contributions.

Player to watch: Nguyen Quang Hai (VIE)

Sat, 17 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nguyen Quang Hai (VIE)

Kuala Lumpur: Nguyen Quang Hai exploded onto the scene at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ and has firmly established himself as one of the foremost players to come out of Vietnam but not without its bumps and hurdles along the way.

At 20 years old, he had already scored his first senior international goal in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in 2017 against Cambodia but it was the arrival of Park Hang-seo as head coach for both the Under-23s and full senior set-up that turned Quang Hai into a household name.

Player to watch: Fabio Lima (UAE)

Fri, 16 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Fabio Lima (UAE)

Kuala Lumpur: Fabio Lima will aim to make use of an impressive scoring record and a wealth of domestic and international experience when the midfielder turns out for the United Arab Emirates at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The 33-year-old, who has established himself as one of the UAE Pro League's most prolific players, will undoubtedly play a key role in The Whites’ campaign as they seek to improve on their Round of 16 showing at Qatar 2023.

Player to watch: Son Heung-min (KOR)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Son Heung-min (KOR)

Kuala Lumpur: Since scoring his first goal on the international stage for Korea Republic against India at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™, Son Heung-min has established himself as one of Asian football’s greats.

The 34-year-old will travel to Saudi Arabia to make a fifth and likely final attempt to lead his nation to their first AFC Asian Cup title since 1960 after going close to breaking that drought in 2015.

Player to watch: Ilhan Fandi (Singapore)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Ilhan Fandi (Singapore)

Kuala Lumpur: Football runs in Ilhan Fandi’s blood but the Singapore forward is determined to carve out his own legacy as the Lions prepare to make their long-awaited return to the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time since 1984. 

The son of Singapore football legend Fandi Ahmad, Ilhan has steadily emerged as one of the nation’s brightest attacking talents, combining his physical presence with pace, intelligent movement and an eye for goal.

Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Kuala Lumpur: No one will relish the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ more than Aymen Hussein with the competition being of huge significance for the striker.

Hussein’s international career with Iraq can be looked at in three separate blocks with a slow start to his first 30 matches for his country before showing upward trajectory in his next two blocks of games.

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Kuala Lumpur: Goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov will look to duplicate his 2023 heroics in Qatar when Tajikistan return to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™. 

A standout during the Central Asia side’s historic debut in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, Yatimov was instrumental in their run to the knockout stage, where he made the only save in a decisive 5-3 penalty shootout against the United Arab Emirates’ Caio Canedo to seal a memorable Round of 16 victory.

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Manama: Felix Sanchez has taken charge of Bahrain, with the Spaniard set to lead the West Asian nation at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Sanchez replaces Dragan Talajic, who parted ways with Bahrain following the recent Gulf Cup.

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Kuala Lumpur: Since introducing himself to the Australian public in spectacular fashion more than four years ago, Nestory Irankunda has become the next great hope in a Socceroos side that is beginning to draw favourable comparisons to the country’s golden generation.

Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to Burundian parents fleeing civil war in their homeland, Irankunda moved to Australia when he was three months old and started his journey towards the summit of the game at Adelaide United’s academy.

Player to watch: Zhang Yuning (CHN)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Zhang Yuning (CHN)

Kuala Lumpur: Striker Zhang Yuning will be pivotal to China PR’s hopes of a successful AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ as the nation attempts to banish the memories of a disappointing campaign in Qatar 2023.

The 29-year-old has been a mainstay of the side throughout the last decade, during which time he spent a prolonged period in Europe before returning to the Chinese Super League to excel for Beijing FC.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3029573.html

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Videos

Player to watch: Akram Afif (QAT)

Wed, 21 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Akram Afif (QAT)

Kuala Lumpur: Few players have had a greater influence on Qatar's rise in Asian football than attacking midfielder Akram Afif, who was instrumental in the Maroons' historic back-to-back AFC Asian Cup™ triumphs.

As the West Asian side look towards defending their title at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, the two-time AFC Player of the Year's experience, creativity and ability to shine on decisive occasions will once again place him in the spotlight.

Player to watch: Takefusa Kubo (JPN)

Sun, 18 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Takefusa Kubo (JPN)

Kuala Lumpur: Takefusa Kubo has been hailed as the future of Japanese football since turning up at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy as a 10-year-old, his every move and development watched by an expectant fan base hoping to embrace the country’s next superstar.

Now 25, the career of the Kawasaki-born playmaker has not panned out quite how some expected but the Real Sociedad man has still managed to establish himself as a key player in Hajime Moriyasu’s squad.

Player to watch: Nasser Al Gahwashi (YEM)

Sun, 18 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nasser Al Gahwashi (YEM)

Kuala Lumpur: Nasser Al Gahwashi has already delivered one of the defining moments in Yemen's journey to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and the influential midfielder will be looking to inspire the West Asian side to greater heights when they return to the continental stage.

A creative spark in midfield with an eye for goal, Al Gahwashi has established himself as one of Yemen's most important players, combining his technical ability with a knack for producing decisive contributions.

Player to watch: Nguyen Quang Hai (VIE)

Sat, 17 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nguyen Quang Hai (VIE)

Kuala Lumpur: Nguyen Quang Hai exploded onto the scene at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ and has firmly established himself as one of the foremost players to come out of Vietnam but not without its bumps and hurdles along the way.

At 20 years old, he had already scored his first senior international goal in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in 2017 against Cambodia but it was the arrival of Park Hang-seo as head coach for both the Under-23s and full senior set-up that turned Quang Hai into a household name.

Player to watch: Fabio Lima (UAE)

Fri, 16 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Fabio Lima (UAE)

Kuala Lumpur: Fabio Lima will aim to make use of an impressive scoring record and a wealth of domestic and international experience when the midfielder turns out for the United Arab Emirates at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The 33-year-old, who has established himself as one of the UAE Pro League's most prolific players, will undoubtedly play a key role in The Whites’ campaign as they seek to improve on their Round of 16 showing at Qatar 2023.

Player to watch: Son Heung-min (KOR)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Son Heung-min (KOR)

Kuala Lumpur: Since scoring his first goal on the international stage for Korea Republic against India at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™, Son Heung-min has established himself as one of Asian football’s greats.

The 34-year-old will travel to Saudi Arabia to make a fifth and likely final attempt to lead his nation to their first AFC Asian Cup title since 1960 after going close to breaking that drought in 2015.

Player to watch: Ilhan Fandi (Singapore)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Ilhan Fandi (Singapore)

Kuala Lumpur: Football runs in Ilhan Fandi’s blood but the Singapore forward is determined to carve out his own legacy as the Lions prepare to make their long-awaited return to the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time since 1984. 

The son of Singapore football legend Fandi Ahmad, Ilhan has steadily emerged as one of the nation’s brightest attacking talents, combining his physical presence with pace, intelligent movement and an eye for goal.

Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Kuala Lumpur: No one will relish the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ more than Aymen Hussein with the competition being of huge significance for the striker.

Hussein’s international career with Iraq can be looked at in three separate blocks with a slow start to his first 30 matches for his country before showing upward trajectory in his next two blocks of games.

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Kuala Lumpur: Goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov will look to duplicate his 2023 heroics in Qatar when Tajikistan return to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™. 

A standout during the Central Asia side’s historic debut in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, Yatimov was instrumental in their run to the knockout stage, where he made the only save in a decisive 5-3 penalty shootout against the United Arab Emirates’ Caio Canedo to seal a memorable Round of 16 victory.

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Manama: Felix Sanchez has taken charge of Bahrain, with the Spaniard set to lead the West Asian nation at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Sanchez replaces Dragan Talajic, who parted ways with Bahrain following the recent Gulf Cup.

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Kuala Lumpur: Since introducing himself to the Australian public in spectacular fashion more than four years ago, Nestory Irankunda has become the next great hope in a Socceroos side that is beginning to draw favourable comparisons to the country’s golden generation.

Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to Burundian parents fleeing civil war in their homeland, Irankunda moved to Australia when he was three months old and started his journey towards the summit of the game at Adelaide United’s academy.

Player to watch: Zhang Yuning (CHN)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Zhang Yuning (CHN)

Kuala Lumpur: Striker Zhang Yuning will be pivotal to China PR’s hopes of a successful AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ as the nation attempts to banish the memories of a disappointing campaign in Qatar 2023.

The 29-year-old has been a mainstay of the side throughout the last decade, during which time he spent a prolonged period in Europe before returning to the Chinese Super League to excel for Beijing FC.