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Moriyasu to stay on for Saudi Arabia 2027, to be replaced by Oiwa

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026

Moriyasu to stay on for Saudi Arabia 2027, to be replaced by Oiwa

Kuala Lumpur: Hajime Moriyasu will remain as Japan head coach until the conclusion of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ when he will be replaced by current Olympic team coach Go Oiwa, the Japan Football Association announced on Thursday.

Moriyasu will make a third attempt to lead Japan to the continental title at the Finals in Saudi Arabia in January and February after securing a runners-up finish in 2019 and exiting the competition in the quarter-finals in 2023.

He will then stand down from the post he has held since 2018, when he replaced Akira Nishino as Japan head coach in the aftermath of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Finals in Russia.

Masoud strengthens Al Ahli; Okuma joins Aston Villa

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026

Masoud strengthens Al Ahli; Okuma joins Aston Villa

Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia midfielder Naif Masoud has joined Al Ahli Saudi FC on a four-year contract while Japan goalkeeper Akane Okuma has completed a move to English Women’s Super League side Aston Villa.

The 25-year-old Masoud arrives from Al Fateh and becomes Al Ahli’s fifth addition of the transfer window, following Abubakar Sidi Kinteh, Francisco Trincao, Eduard Spertsyan and Mishal Al Mutairi.

Hwang, Araki, Ilhan and Itamura seal moves

Tue, 21 Jul, 2026

Hwang, Araki, Ilhan and Itamura seal moves

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic midfielder Hwang In-beom has joined Portuguese champions FC Porto, headlining a series of moves involving Japan duo Mao Itamura and Ryotaro Araki, as well as Singapore international Ilhan Fandi.

Hwang completed his Porto switch from Feyenoord on a three-year contract, with an option for a further season.

Japan maintain position as Asia’s top side

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Japan maintain position as Asia’s top side

Kuala Lumpur: Japan moved up one spot to 17th in the FIFA World Rankings after their performance at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2026 that saw the Blue Samurai reaching the Round of 32.

The East Asian side claimed a win against Tunisia with stalemates against the Netherlands and Sweden before suffering a last-gasp defeat to five-time champions Brazil in the Round of 32.

AFC Grassroots Day 2026 unites Asia’s football communities – Part 1

Fri, 17 Jul, 2026

AFC Grassroots Day 2026 unites Asia’s football communities – Part 1

Kuala Lumpur: The 13th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Grassroots Day brought communities together across the Continent as 45 Member Associations (MAs) celebrated the beautiful game and engaged thousands of participants in a showcase of football's power to inspire, connect and include.

Held annually on May 23, this year's events once again coincided with FIFA's World Football Week, reinforcing the AFC's support for the United Nations' Football for the Goals initiative and its shared commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through football.
 
Join us at the-AFC.com for the first in a series that highlights how MAs embraced the AFC Grassroots Day 2026 with creativity and enthusiasm.

#U17WAC - Stage set for China 2027 Qualifiers

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

#U17WAC - Stage set for China 2027 Qualifiers

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ China 2027 is all set for take off following the conclusion of the Qualifiers Draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 30 teams - two more than the previous record of 28 from the 2019 Qualifiers - were divided into eight groups - six of four and two of three - to contest a single round-robin centralised league from October 5 to 11.

Each group winner will advance to the Finals, joining the quartet of teams that have qualified directly as the top four finishers from the 2026 campaign: defending champions DPR Korea, runners-up Japan, and semi-finalists Australia and China PR.

Kamada: Mindsets must change for Japan to be world champions

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Kamada: Mindsets must change for Japan to be world champions

Houston: Japan will never win the FIFA World Cup unless football becomes the country's number one sport, midfielder Daichi Kamada warned after their heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Monday.

Asia's best side arrived in North America with ambitions of winning the tournament, and they were touted as outside favourites to go far.

 

But they were knocked out in the last 32 and have now failed to win a FIFA World Cup knockout game in five attempts.

Disappointed but Japan's Moriyasu continues to believe

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Disappointed but Japan's Moriyasu continues to believe

Houston: Head coach Hajime Moriyasu said Japan have proved they have what it takes to one day win the FIFA World Cup following a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Monday.

Japan lost in the last 32 after giving up a 1-0 half-time lead, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring an injury-time winner in Houston.

Some of the Japan players were in tears at the end as the East Asian side's wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout stage win continued.

R32: Brazil 2-1 Japan

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

R32: Brazil 2-1 Japan

Houston: Japan's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion on Monday as Brazil struck late to seal a 2-1 win in their Round of 32 tie.

Kaishu Sano gave Japan the lead in the 29th minute with Casemiro heading home the equaliser in the 56th.

Brazil kept pushing and were rewarded with the winning goal through Gabriel Martinelli deep into added time as Japan's dream came to an end. The five-time champions will face either Cote d'Ivoire or Norway in in the Round of 16 on Sunday.

Preview - R32: Brazil v Japan

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Preview - R32: Brazil v Japan

Houston: Japan will be determined to extend their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign when they face five-time champions Brazil in their Round of 32 tie at Houston Stadium on Monday.

Hajime Moriyasu’s side advanced from Group F with an unbeaten record, finishing second after a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands, a commanding 4-0 win over Tunisia and a 1-1 stalemate with Sweden to set up a thrilling knockout-stage meeting with the South Americans.

The Samurai Blue - seeking to advance beyond the Round of 16 for the first time - will head into the tie with confidence, having defeated Brazil when the sides met in a friendly last October. It was Japan’s first win in 14 meetings with the giants. 

Japan's progress paying off, says Troussier

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Japan's progress paying off, says Troussier

Tokyo: Japan believe they can shock Brazil in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 meeting, and former coach Philippe Troussier thinks it would be a fitting reward for their progress as a football nation.

Frenchman Troussier led Japan when they co-hosted the FIFA World Cup with Korea Republic in 2002 and took them to the last 16 in only their second tournament appearance.

Japan have not missed a FIFA World Cup since, and they have openly talked about winning this year's competition in North America, where they face Brazil in Houston on Monday.

Not even a showdown with the five-time champions can shake Japan's current confidence, and Troussier believes it is fully justified.

Knockout Stage cast finalised

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Knockout Stage cast finalised

Los Angeles: Australia and Japan will carry Asia's hopes in the knockout stage as the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage concluded on Saturday.

There was heartbreak for Islamic Republic of Iran and Korea Republic as both missed out after finishing third in their respective groups.