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AFC Asian Cup - Latest News

Qatar 2023 Watch: Five things we learned from the international break

Fri, 15 Sep, 2023

Qatar 2023 Watch: Five things we learned from the international break

Riyadh: National teams across the continent ramped up their preparations with just under four months remaining until the start of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ with a series of friendlies taking place over the past 10 days.

Preliminary Joint Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ are also just around the corner with the first-round games kicking off mid-October and the second round starting in November, meaning that every national team in Asia has something to prepare for.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™: Record 74 match officials named; historic debut for women officials beckons

Thu, 14 Sep, 2023

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™: Record 74 match officials named; historic debut for women officials beckons

Kuala Lumpur: With less than four months to go to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, the largest-ever cast of 74 match officials have been appointed to the Continental showpiece, which is scheduled to be held from 12 January to 10 February 2024 across nine world-class venues.

A total of 35 referees and 39 assistant referees – including two standby nominees for each position – from 18 Member Associations have been selected based on their game management skills and competence, technical knowledge, physical fitness as well as performances delivered at the highest levels of both Continental and global football in recent years.

Japan shine; Korea Republic back on winning track; UAE, IR Iran sizzle

Wed, 13 Sep, 2023

Japan shine; Korea Republic back on winning track; UAE, IR Iran sizzle

Kuala Lumpur: Japan were at their best in a 4-2 win over Turkey in an international friendly on Tuesday while Korea Republic edged Saudi Arabia 1-0 as Jurgen Klinsmann notched his first win as head coach of the East Asian side.

The United Arab Emirates defeated Costa Rica 4-1, Islamic Republic of Iran impressed in a 4-0 victory over Angola while Qatar were again denied a win, with their tie against Russia ending 1-1 no thanks to a 90th minute equaliser.

A host of other Asian teams were in action as they continued their preparations for the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

#AsianCup2023 Slogan Contest: Vote now and take your place in Asian football history

Tue, 12 Sep, 2023

#AsianCup2023 Slogan Contest: Vote now and take your place in Asian football history

Kuala Lumpur: With just four months to go to Asia’s grandest and most prestigious men’s football tournament, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ are presenting passionate fans of Asian football with the opportunity to vote for their preferred slogan and stand a chance to witness the captivating action live in Qatar.

From now until 22 September, football fans across the globe can log onto the-AFC.com or the AFC’s various social media platforms to test their knowledge of the Continent’s oldest competition and vote for their favourite tagline amongst a list of 11 slogans.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Match Officials

Japan, Malaysia impress; Australia denied

Sun, 10 Sep, 2023

Japan, Malaysia impress; Australia denied

Kuala Lumpur: Japan produced a masterclass as they cruised 4-1 past Germany in an international friendly on Saturday.

Malaysia held their own in a 1-1 draw with China PR while Australia were denied victory as Mexico fought back for a 2-2 stalemate.
 
Uzbekistan fell 3-0 to the United States as Asian teams continued their preparations for the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

Indonesia, Tajikistan triumph, defeat for Saudi Arabia

Sat, 09 Sep, 2023

Indonesia, Tajikistan triumph, defeat for Saudi Arabia

Kuala Lumpur: Roberto Mancini's tenure as head coach got off to a losing start as Saudi Arabia fell to a 3-1 defeat against Costa Rica in an international friendly in Newcastle, England on Friday. 

Several other sides were also in action as the teams continued their preparations for the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

IR Iran shine, win continues to elude Korea Republic

Fri, 08 Sep, 2023

IR Iran shine, win continues to elude Korea Republic

Kuala Lumpur: A busy night of international friendlies on Thursday saw Islamic Republic of Iran defeating Bulgaria 1-0, Korea Republic playing to a goalless stalemate with Wales while Qatar suffered a 2-1 defeat to Kenya.

Thailand and Iraq advanced to the 2023 King's Cup final as Asia's national teams used the ongoing international break to continue their preparations for the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

Ivankovic: Oman's goal is 2026 qualification

Thu, 31 Aug, 2023

Ivankovic: Oman's goal is 2026 qualification

Muscat: Head coach Branko Ivankovic has set Oman the target of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 on merit as the West Asian side kick off preparations for two major assignments in the coming months. 

Oman's bid to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ starts in November with the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ to follow in January. 

Mancini sets Saudi Arabia title target

Tue, 29 Aug, 2023

Mancini sets Saudi Arabia title target

Riyadh: Roberto Mancini said he hoped to lead Saudi Arabia to AFC Asian Cup™ victory within months after he was confirmed as the West Asian side's head coach on Monday. 

The former Inter Milan and Manchester City boss held up a green shirt that read "Mancini 2027" after inking a contract to stay with the Green Falcons beyond the next FIFA World Cup.

Mancini takes charge of Saudi Arabia

Mon, 28 Aug, 2023

Mancini takes charge of Saudi Arabia

Riyadh: Roberto Mancini has been named head coach of the Saudi Arabia men’s national team, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced on Sunday.

Mancini had resigned from his previous post as Italy head coach earlier in August, having spent five years in charge of The Azzurri, leading them to winning UEFA Euro 2020 title and finishing third in the UEFA Nations League twice in 2020-21 and 2022-23.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Official Match Schedule caa 21 August 2023