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#AFCU23: 2024 revisited

Sat, 13 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: 2024 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U23 Asian Cup™ returned to Qatar in 2024, with the West Asian nation having also hosted the 2016 edition.

As we rapidly approach the 2026 edition to be hosted by Saudi Arabia, the-AFC.com concludes its look back at previous editions of the tournament by shining the spotlight on what proved to be a historical championship in 2024.

#AFCU23: 2022 revisited

Fri, 12 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: 2022 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ is fast approaching with the 16 teams in the final phase of preparations for the continental showpiece.

As we edge closer to the tournament, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on the 2022 edition.

#AFCU23: 2020 revisited

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: 2020 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: With the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ kicking off in a matter of weeks, we continue our look back at the previous editions of the tournament.

The focus on the latest installment of the series is the 2020 edition, which also offered three spots to the Tokyo Olympics. 

#AFCU23: 2018 revisited

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: 2018 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: As we edge closer to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™, we continue our flashback of a tournament that has never failed to thrill. 

Having taken a look at the 2013 and 2016 editions, we shift out focus to the 2018 edition that was played under challenging conditions in China PR.

#AFCU23: 2016 revisited

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: 2016 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: As the countdown to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ gathers pace, we continue our trip down memory lane of a tournament that has witnessed the rise of many of the continent's standout players.

Having looked at the 2013 edition won by Iraq, we shift our attention to the 2016 tournament which was hosted by Qatar.  

#WAC2026 Dream XI – Pick your dream goalkeeper

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

#WAC2026 Dream XI – Pick your dream goalkeeper

Sydney: Twelve teams will head to Australia next year seeking ultimate glory at the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026™.

To warm up, the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Dream XI lets football fans pick 11 of their favourite players from a pool of all-time greats and rising stars. 

We begin where titles so often tilt: the goalkeeper's spot.

You're choosing the last line of defence for your Dream XI—presence, poise and big-match nerve required. From an era-defining icon to a modern-day hero, here are the five nominees. 

#AFCU23: 2013 revisited

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: 2013 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: The seventh edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ is set to kick off in Saudi Arabia on January 6 as 16 teams converge on the cities of Jeddah and Riyadh with some of the hottest prospects in Asian football set to be on show.

Stars such as Takumi Minamino, Alireza Beiranvand, Hwang Hee-chan, Chanathip Songkrasin and Almoez Ali are among the big names to have featured in a competition that has delivered numerous magical moments over the years. 

To whet the appetite ahead of one of the Asian Football Confederation’s showpiece tournaments, we look back at the previous editions of the AFC U23 Asian Cup - starting with 2013.

#AFCU23 - Facts & Figures

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23 - Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ kicks off on January 6 with 16 teams vying to lift the coveted trophy.

As the teams enter their final phase of preparations and excitement begins to build, the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures of the tournament.

Draw: What they said

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Draw: What they said

Washington: Friday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw revealed the challenges Asia’s finest will face in the expanded global showpiece next summer.

It was a draw which had everything and the Asian teams were understandably excited as they began to lay plans for their respective sides.

The-AFC.com listened to what they had to say.

Asia's hopefuls discover challengers

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Asia's hopefuls discover challengers

Washington: Asia's representatives learnt their FIFA World Cup 2026 challengers following the conclusion of the draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on Friday.

The 48 teams were drawn into 12 groups for the global showpiece which will take place in Canada, Mexico and the United States on June 11-July 19, 2026.

First-ever AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ mascot unveiled

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

First-ever AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ mascot unveiled

Gold Coast: With less than 100 days to go, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ today unveiled the first-ever official mascot in the history of the competition: Naara, the fire horse.

Introduced to fans amid festivities celebrating International Volunteers’ Day in Gold Coast, the milestone follows the launch of WAVEMAKER, the tournament’s first-ever bespoke match ball created by Kelme, further underscoring the AFC’s commitment to setting new benchmarks for the Continent’s premier women’s national team competition.

Final draw: All you need to know

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Final draw: All you need to know

Kuala Lumpur: The Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be held on Friday and it promises to be a spectacular affair.

The expanded 48-team tournament - up from the 32-nation field that competed at the FIFA World Cup 2022 - will be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year.

With Asia set to be well represented, the-AFC.com brings you all the details of the Final Draw.

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Year in Review: AFC Champions League™ 2023/24

Tue, 17 Dec, 2024

Year in Review: AFC Champions League™ 2023/24

Kuala Lumpur: Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates won the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 in stunning fashion, defeating Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos in a thrilling final played over two legs.

With the AFC's club competitions transitioning to a new format from the 2024/25 season, it was only fitting that the inaugural winners brought the curtains down on the AFC Champions League by waltzing their way to a second title.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2_|_group_h_dynamic_herb_cebu_fc_phi_0-6_jeonbuk_hyundai_motors_fc_kor.html

#ACL Memories: Stunning Strikes

Thu, 29 Aug, 2024

#ACL Memories: Stunning Strikes

Kuala Lumpur: The long and illustrious AFC Champions League™ era has come to an end but the maiden campaign of the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) promises to open a new and exciting chapter in Asian football when it kicks off next month. 

Over the years, Asia’s top-tier club competition has produced plenty of breathtaking goals -- from sizzling bicycle kicks to absolute stunners from distance - so join the-AFC.com as we walk down memory lane to look at some of the best goals the AFC Champions League witnessed during its run. 

Stars of the AFC Champions League™

Fri, 16 Aug, 2024

Stars of the AFC Champions League™

Kuala Lumpur: The thrilling AFC Champions League era has come to a conclusion as, after 22 years of top-class Asian club football, the tournament has been revamped to AFC Champions League Elite™ in the upcoming season.

From household domestic names to international stars, the competition has been lit up by a number of players who provided memories to cherish for lovers of Asian football.

Spanning East Asia to West Asia, the-AFC.com selects 10 of the biggest superstars the competition has witnessed in its illustrious history.

Vote for your #ACL 2023-24 Magic Moment

Mon, 03 Jun, 2024

Vote for your #ACL 2023-24 Magic Moment

Kuala Lumpur: The final edition of the AFC Champions League™ in its current format came to a conclusion on May 25 when Al Ain defeated Yokohama F. Marinos in the second leg of this season’s final. 

It has been a season like no other with global superstars debuting in the continental competition which as usual delivered outstanding moments over the course of the season. 

After the conclusion of another thrilling edition, the-AFC.com picks the Magic Moments and asks you, the fans, to cast your vote for the favourite. 

#ACL 2023/24: The Stats Leaders

Thu, 30 May, 2024

#ACL 2023/24: The Stats Leaders

Kuala Lumpur: After Al Ain FC’s victory over Yokohama F. Marinos in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final brought to a close the last edition of the tournament in its current format, the-AFC.com takes an in-depth look at the numbers and players that excelled during the campaign.

There were many exceptional performers in another memorable chapter of Asia's top-tier club competition as we analyse the stats to assess some of the key categories and those who stood out.

#ACL Final, 2nd Leg: What They Said

Wed, 29 May, 2024

#ACL Final, 2nd Leg: What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: With a comprehensive 5-1 win in Al Ain on Saturday, Al Ain FC overcame Yokohama F. Marinos 6-3 on aggregate to claim the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 trophy.

The Japanese side had a narrow advantage following a 2-1 triumph in Yokohama, but a sensational second leg performance in Al Ain meant the inaugural winners of the AFC Champions League lifted their second title after a 21-year wait.

As the 2023/24 edition concludes, the-AFC.com reviews what some of those involved had to say about the competition’s finale.

#ACL Final: 2nd Leg in Numbers

Tue, 28 May, 2024

#ACL Final: 2nd Leg in Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: The curtain came down on the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Saturday as Al Ain FC were crowned kings of Asia following a 5-1 second-leg victory over Yokohama F. Marinos that saw them run out 6-3 winners on aggregate.

The final also brought to a close the competition in its current format as Asian club football heads into an exciting new era next season with the launch of the AFC Champions League Elite™ and the AFC Champions League 2™.

As continental club football takes a break until the new tournaments begin, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the stats and facts from the second leg of the final.

Vote for your #ACL NEOM Future Star

Mon, 27 May, 2024

Vote for your #ACL NEOM Future Star

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 delivered in spectacular fashion following the conclusion of a campaign that started back on 15 August 2023 and drew the curtain with the climax in Al Ain on 25 May 2024. 

After Al Ain’s win over Yokohama F. Marinos in the final, the-AFC.com now looks to the future and the younger generation of stars that have risen to prominence during the tournament by asking you, the fans, to select the NEOM Future Star of the 2023/24 edition. 

We’ve selected six nominees who have made their career breakthroughs at the AFC Champions League 2023/24 so study through the candidates and vote for your favourite NEOM Future Star at the foot of the article. 

Crespo: Al Ain's triumph due to self belief

Sun, 26 May, 2024

Crespo: Al Ain's triumph due to self belief

Al Ain: His players gatecrashed the post-match press conference to honour him but as far as Hernan Crespo was concerned, Saturday's AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 triumph was the result of a collective effort.

The side from the United Arab Emirates were simply unstoppable as Crespo's players did exactly what he had promised they would - turn the pressure on in front of their adoring fans.

The end result was an emphatic 5-1 win at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, with Al Ain triumphing 6-3 on aggregate to lift the trophy for a second time after having waited for 21 years.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_final_2nd_leg_|_al_ain_fc_uae_5_-1_yokohama_f_marinos_jpn.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/photo/final_2nd_leg_al_ain_fc_uae_v_yokohama_f_marinos_jpn__1.html

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