Asian Stars to watch

Sun, 15 Jun, 2025

Asian Stars to watch

Kuala Lumpur: With the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup 2025 having kicked off in the United States, all eyes are turning to Asia’s finest as they aim to leave their mark on the global stage. 

The-AFC.com spotlights players to watch from the four Asian sides - UAE’s Al Ain FC, Al Hilal  SFC of Saudi Arabia, Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds and Ulsan HD of Korea Republic, plus special mentions.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3094701

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.

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.

Know your team: Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Know your team: Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Kuala Lumpur: Al Hilal SFC, by their high standards, will head into the FIFA Club World Cup 2026 on the back of a difficult season.

The perennial trophy winners ended the 2024/25 season empty handed and will - despite the tough challenge awaiting them - be determined to shine in the expanded tournament.

Know your team: Al Ain FC (UAE)

Tue, 10 Jun, 2025

Know your team: Al Ain FC (UAE)

Kuala Lumpur: Al Ain FC will have to overcome tough opposition if the side from the United Arab Emirates are to progress from the group stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2026.

Al Ain impressed in their only previous appearance at the tournament and Vladimir Ivic's side will be looking to deliver similar results in this year's edition, which has been expanded to 32 teams. 

Asia at the FIFA Club World Cup

Sun, 08 Jun, 2025

Asia at the FIFA Club World Cup

Kuala Lumpur: Asia will be represented by four teams at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 with all the sides relishing the opportunity of challenging for the title.

Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal SFC, Ulsan HD of Korea Republic and Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds are the latest teams from the continent hoping to be crowned the world's best.

It won't be easy, not with so many of the world's top sides also challenging for the title but the four will go into the tournament knowing that teams from the continent have done well in previous editions, with the-AFC.com taking a look at how the Asian journey has been.

Inter Miami, Al Ahly settle for stalemate

Sun, 15 Jun, 2025

Inter Miami, Al Ahly settle for stalemate

Miami: Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Egyptian side Al Ahly played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday as the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 got off to a smooth start in front of 60,927 fans in Florida.

Messi was denied a storybook stoppage-time winner when he saw his curling shot from 20 yards out tipped on to the bar by Mohamed El Shenawy as Miami piled on the pressure in the final minutes of the game.

Al Ahly, who were cheered on by over 10,000 of their supporters, were left to rue a first-half penalty from Egypt international Trezeguet which was saved by Miami's Argentine keeper Oscar Ustari.

But the Egyptians also had El Shenawy to thank for another fine save in the dying seconds to keep out a header from Maxi Falcon as Miami pushed for three points in the Group A clash.

#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. 

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.