LATEST NEWS - AIFF

Hwang moves to Schalke; Diaby leaves Al Ittihad

Wed, 02 Sep, 2026

Hwang moves to Schalke; Diaby leaves Al Ittihad

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic international Hwang Hee-chan sealed a loan move to Schalke 04, while Moussa Diaby ended his spell with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad Club to return to Bayer Leverkusen on transfer deadline day for European clubs on Tuesday.

Also making a switch were Japan internationals Yukinari Sugawara and Kota Takai, while Australia forward Kusini Yengi joined Sanfrecce Hiroshima on loan.

Qualifiers - Group B: Syria 0-1 India; Uzbekistan 2-0 Bangladesh

Mon, 31 Aug, 2026

Qualifiers - Group B: Syria 0-1 India; Uzbekistan 2-0 Bangladesh

Tashkent: Uzbekistan kicked off their bid for a second title with a 2-0 win against Bangladesh in their AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifiers Group B tie on Monday.

India, meanwhile, scored late to defeat Syria 1-0 in the earlier match.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup.html/photo/qualifiers-group-b-syria-v-india-uzbekistan-v-bangladesh

Uzbekistan 2027 hopefuls discover qualification path

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Uzbekistan 2027 hopefuls discover qualification path

Kuala Lumpur: Teams aiming to vie for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027™ title discovered their Qualifiers challenge following the Draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 35 teams were divided into seven groups of five to contest a single round-robin centralised league for the qualifying rounds that run from November 8 to 20, 2026.

The seven group winners will join the nine AFC representatives from the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 who have automatically qualified - Australia, China PR, Japan (defending champions), Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam - in the Finals.

Central & South Asia Wrap: IR Iran welcomes new season; East Bengal clinch Durand Cup

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: IR Iran welcomes new season; East Bengal clinch Durand Cup

Tehran: The Iran Pro League returned to action with its 2026/27 season following the suspension of the 2025/26 edition in February, with the league now expanded from 16 to 18 teams. 

East Bengal FC claimed the 2026 Durand Cup in India after a 22-year wait, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

PS - Group A: East Bengal FC (IND) 2-0 Sabah FA (MAS)

Sun, 23 Aug, 2026

PS - Group A: East Bengal FC (IND) 2-0 Sabah FA (MAS)

Kota Kinabalu: East Bengal FC staved off Sabah FA to clinch a 2-0 win which earned the Indian side a place in the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27™ Group Stage on Sunday.

Second half goals from Olivia Anokye and Soumya Guguloth settled a keenly-fought contest at Likas Stadium with East Bengal finishing top of Group A with maximum points.

India crowned inaugural eFootball Mobile champions

Sat, 22 Aug, 2026

India crowned inaugural eFootball Mobile champions

Kuala Lumpur: The FIFAe Continental Championship 2026 by AFC concluded on Saturday with India crowned the inaugural eFootball Mobile champions after edging Japan in the Final.

Thailand also secured their place at the FIFAe Finals 2026 after defeating Jordan in the 2nd Chance Final, joining finalists India and Japan on the global stage.

For Jordan, their campaign continued through the Intercontinental Playoffs, where they defeated New Zealand in straight games to reach the FIFAe Finals.

PS - Group A: Rovers FC (GUM) 0-12 East Bengal FC (IND)

Thu, 20 Aug, 2026

PS - Group A: Rovers FC (GUM) 0-12 East Bengal FC (IND)

Kota Kinabalu: East Bengal of India secured their second consecutive victory after waltzing 12-0 past Guam’s Rovers FC in their AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27™ Preliminary Stage on Thursday.

The win puts East Bengal in a strong position to reach the group stage, with Malaysia’s Sabah FA their opponents on Sunday, while Rovers face Bangladesh Rajshahi Stars FC.

PS - Group A: East Bengal FC (IND) 4-0 Rajshahi Stars FC (BAN)

Mon, 17 Aug, 2026

PS - Group A: East Bengal FC (IND) 4-0 Rajshahi Stars FC (BAN)

Kota Kinabalu: East Bengal FC hardly put a foot wrong as they began their AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27™ Preliminary Stage in style with a 4-0 win against Rajshahi Stars FC on Monday.

Anthony Andrew’s side led from start to finish in a dominant victory and they will look to build on their momentum against Guam’s Rovers FC on Thursday while Rajhashi will have the opportunity to bounce back against Sabah FA.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Issyk-Kul, Fergana stay ahead

Mon, 17 Aug, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Issyk-Kul, Fergana stay ahead

Bishkek: FC Bars Issyk-Kul regained pole position in Kyrgyz Republic while Neftchi Fergana cruised in Uzbekistan as their respective title contenders Muras United and Pakhtakor continue to threaten. 

In India, the 2026 Durand Cup inches to a close, so join the-AFC.com as we look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

Rashid salutes East Bengal resilience

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

Rashid salutes East Bengal resilience

Kolkata: Mohammed Rashid played a major role in helping East Bengal FC oust Al Arabi SC to advance to the AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™ Group Stage and the captain was pleased with how the team responded to changing game dynamics.

East Bengal were staring at defeat with minutes left to play and trailing to Anayo Iwuala’s opener for Al Arabi but Rashid came to the rescue with a precise free-kick for Javi Gupta to nod home to take the game into extra-time.

Things got even better for Rashid as he volleyed in a stunning goal in the first half of extra-time but the captain refused to take the entire plaudits.

PS: FC Arkadag (TKM) 3-0 FC Goa (IND)

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

PS: FC Arkadag (TKM) 3-0 FC Goa (IND)

Arkadag: FC Arkadag defeated India’s FC Goa 3-0 to secure their place in the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™ at the Arkadag Stadium on Wednesday.

After a listless first half, Turkmenistan's Arkadag turned on the style after the break to put them in the Group Stage draw to be conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 18.