Preview - Group H: Real Madrid (ESP) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Tue, 17 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group H: Real Madrid (ESP) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Miami: A new era begins for Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC under head coach Simone Inzgahi with a mouth-watering tie against Spanish giants Real Madrid in their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group H opener on Wednesday.

Inzgahi, who took over from Jorge Jesus after steering Inter Milan to a runners-up finish in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25, will have the task of taking the four-time Asian champions to greater heights.

Preview - Group E: River Plate (ARG) v Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group E: River Plate (ARG) v Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)

Seattle: Urawa Red Diamonds will brace themselves for a tough fight in their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 opener against Argentina’s River Plate at the Lumen Field on Tuesday.

While Urawa are making their fourth appearance, River Plate are competing for the third time, having finished runners-up in 2015 and third in 2018.

Preview - Group F: Ulsan HD FC (KOR) v Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group F: Ulsan HD FC (KOR) v Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)

Orlando: Korea Republic’s Ulsan HD FC will be aiming for a winning start to their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign when they take on Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in Group F on Tuesday.

Ulsan qualified via the AFC rankings pathway as the most consistent Asian club side in recent seasons, a route they share with Memelodi who qualified via the CAF rankings pathway.

Dominant Flamengo ease past Esperance

Tue, 17 Jun, 2025

Dominant Flamengo ease past Esperance

Philadelphia: Brazilian giants Flamengo set themselves up for a FIFA Club World Cup 2025 showdown with Chelsea by easing to a 2-0 win against Esperance of Tunisia in their opening game at the tournament on Monday.

Goals either side of half time from Uruguayan international Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Luiz Araujo gave a dominant Flamengo - coached by former Chelsea player Filipe Luis - a deserved victory in the Group D clash in Philadelphia.

Boca denied as Benfica fight back

Tue, 17 Jun, 2025

Boca denied as Benfica fight back

Miami: Goals from two Argentine internationals denied Boca Juniors victory over Benfica on Monday, as the Buenos Aires side were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw in a stormy FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group C clash.

An Angel Di Maria penalty on the stroke of half-time and an 86th-minute header from Nicolas Otamendi earned the 10-man Lisbon side a point from a fiercely contested encounter in what was a de facto home game for Boca.

The Argentine club had led 2-0 thanks to goals from Miguel Merentiel and Rodrigo Battaglia and looked set for a night of celebration after Benfica went down to 10 men in the 72nd minute.

Chelsea too strong for Los Angeles

Tue, 17 Jun, 2025

Chelsea too strong for Los Angeles

Atlanta: Chelsea kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group D campaign with a solid 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC on Monday.

Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez's goals got the Blues off to a good start in a competitive clash against one of the three qualified MLS teams.

New signing Liam Delap made his debut as a substitute and helped set up Fernandez's strike, with Chelsea hoping to reestablish themselves among the elite after their UEFA Conference League triumph and Champions League qualification.

Central, South & West Asia Wrap: Al Shorta close in on title; Arkadag remain perfect

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

Central, South & West Asia Wrap: Al Shorta close in on title; Arkadag remain perfect

Doha: Al Shorta are well poised to defend their Iraqi Stars League title following an emphatic win over Al Naft on Sunday.

Safa are firmly perched at the top of the Lebanese Premier League while FC Arkadag maintained their perfect record in the Yokary Liga. 
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central, South and West Asia.

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Nam Dinh champs again; Jeonbuk widen lead

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Nam Dinh champs again; Jeonbuk widen lead

Kuala Lumpur: Nam Dinh FC defended their V.League 1 title with a match to spare while Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC surged further ahead in the K League 1.

In Japan, leaders Kashima Antlers dropped points, the top suffered defeat in China PR while MUST CPK continue to dictate terms in Macau.

Join the-AFC.com as we recap the latest round of domestic action across ASEAN and East Asia following the international break.

Al Shehri steers Saudi Arabia past Haiti

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

Al Shehri steers Saudi Arabia past Haiti

San Diego: Saudi Arabia marked their inaugural CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign with a winning start after defeating Haiti 1-0 in their Group D opener at the Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday.

Saleh Al Shehri’s first half penalty sealed the three points for the Green Falcons, who take on the United States in Austin, Texas on Thursday with Haiti meeting Trinidad and Tobago.