Road to Uzbekistan 2027 begins for #AFCU17 hopefuls

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

Road to Uzbekistan 2027 begins for #AFCU17 hopefuls

Kuala Lumpur: The mission to reach the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027™ gets underway on November 8 (Sunday) for the 35 teams in the 22nd edition of the Qualifiers.

The cast has been split evenly into seven groups to contest a single round-robin centralised league format until November 20, with only the winners advancing to the 22nd edition of the Finals in May 2027.

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal back on top; three-way tie in Qatar

Mon, 02 Nov, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal back on top; three-way tie in Qatar

Doha: Al Hilal SFC regained the Saudi Pro League top spot following a 2-0 win against Al Fateh.

Al Sadd SC and Al Duhail SC capitalised on Al Rayyan SC dropping points to move level with the leaders in the Qatar Stars League.

There were also matches in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon and Syria so join the-AFC.com in our weekly review of the domestic scene across West Asia.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Title race heats up in IR Iran

Mon, 02 Nov, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Title race heats up in IR Iran

Tehran: The tussle for top place in the Iran Pro League continues to go down the wire with Persepolis hanging on to the lead and Mobarakeh Sepahan SC, Foolad and defending champions Tractor FC waiting in the wings to take over. 

FC Bars Issyk-Kul are a match away from defending their title in Kyrgyz Republic while Mohun Bagan Super Giant took over the lead in India, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Ratchaburi roar back; Dewa stun Persija

Mon, 02 Nov, 2026

ASEAN Wrap: Ratchaburi roar back; Dewa stun Persija

Kuala Lumpur: It was a week of dramatic comebacks and significant results across ASEAN, with Ratchaburi FC producing a stunning five-goal second-half turnaround to defeat Sisaket United 5-2 in Thailand.

Dewa United handed Indonesian Liga 1 leaders Persija Jakarta a 2-1 defeat. In Vietnam, Nam Dinh strengthened their grip on top spot with a 3-1 comeback win over Viettel.
 
There were also matches in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the latest domestic action across ASEAN.

East Asia Wrap: FC Tokyo move top; Seoul beaten; Kaohsiung extend lead

Mon, 02 Nov, 2026

East Asia Wrap: FC Tokyo move top; Seoul beaten; Kaohsiung extend lead

Seoul: FC Tokyo moved to the top of the J1 League standings following a commanding victory over Okayama, while Sanfrecce Hiroshima climbed to second.

In Korea Republic, newly crowned champions FC Seoul suffered defeat to Incheon United, while Kaohsiung Attackers extended their advantage in Chinese Taipei and FC Ulaanbaatar strengthened their position at the Mongolian Premier League summit.

The-AFC.com takes a look at the latest domestic action across East Asia.

Know your team: IR Iran

Mon, 02 Nov, 2026

Know your team: IR Iran

Kuala Lumpur: The Islamic Republic of Iran will travel to Saudi Arabia looking to bring to an end an AFC Asian Cup™ drought that stretches back more than 50 years since the last of the nation’s three consecutive continental titles.

The Iranians were the dominant force in Asian football from the late 1960s until the end of the 1970s, winning the AFC Asian Cup in 1968, 1972 and 1976 while also qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup in 1978.

Spearheaded by legendary names such as Ali Parvin and Nasser Hejazi, Team Melli stood tall as the kings of the continent until that golden era came to an end. Since then, the Iranians have experienced a long series of near-misses.

DPR Korea, Japan set up s-final showdown; China PR’s run ends

Mon, 02 Nov, 2026

DPR Korea, Japan set up s-final showdown; China PR’s run ends

Sale: DPR Korea and Japan set up a FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026 semi-final showdown after advancing from their respective last eight ties in contrasting fashion on Sunday.

DPR Korea cruised to a 3-0 win against the United States while Japan edged Ghana 1-0, with the two Asian heavyweights to meet on Wednesday.
 
China PR, meanwhile, exited the tournament after a 2-1 defeat to Brazil, who will meet Nigeria next. 

Know your team: Jordan

Sat, 31 Oct, 2026

Know your team: Jordan

Kuala Lumpur: Jordan will be out to prove that their best-ever finish four years ago was not a flash-in-the-pan when they take on allcomers at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

There will be no shortage of confidence in the camp after going from strength to strength since their memorable run to the final at Qatar 2023.

Know your team: DPR Korea

Fri, 30 Oct, 2026

Know your team: DPR Korea

Kuala Lumpur: DPR Korea are ready to reclaim their place among Asia’s elite when they return to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ for the first time since 2019.

Drawn in Group B alongside Uzbekistan, Bahrain and Jordan, the East Asian side will look to build on a proud history that includes a fourth-place finish in 1980.

Know your team: Bahrain

Thu, 29 Oct, 2026

Know your team: Bahrain

Kuala Lumpur: Bahrain will aim to build on their proudest moments on the continental stage when they compete at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The Red Warriors, making their eighth competition appearance and with some eventful performances behind them, will be seeking to surpass their best-ever finish of fourth place in 2004.

R16: Japan 3-1 Kenya

Fri, 30 Oct, 2026

R16: Japan 3-1 Kenya

Rabat: Japan came from behind to defeat Kenya 3-1 in their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 Round of 16 tie on Thursday.

The East Asian side extended their remarkable record of reaching at least the quarter-finals at every edition of the U-17 showpiece and will meet Ghana in the last eight.

R16: China PR 0 (4)-(3) 0 France

Fri, 30 Oct, 2026

R16: China PR 0 (4)-(3) 0 France

Rabat: China PR displayed mental strength and resilience to defeat France 4-3 on penalties after their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 last 16 tie ended goalless on Thursday.

The reward for the East Asian side is a quarter-final meeting with Brazil - who also sneaked through on penalties against Poland - on Sunday.