LATEST NEWS - FFIRI

Taremi, Jahanbakhsh to front IR Iran

Mon, 01 Jun, 2026

Taremi, Jahanbakhsh to front IR Iran

Istanbul: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Amir ⁠Ghalenoei placed his faith in veterans Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh as he named his FIFA World Cup 2026 squad on Monday.

Taremi, 33, who plays for ⁠Olympiacos, and former Brighton & Hove Albion winger Jahanbakhsh, will ​lead the attack ‌in the tournament.

#AFCU20 China 2027 - Stage set for Qualifiers

Thu, 28 May, 2026

#AFCU20 China 2027 - Stage set for Qualifiers

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifiers are set to be a scintillating affair following the Official Draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

To be staged between August 25 and September 6, 2026 in a centralised league system, these Qualifiers will feature the implementation of a new format as part of key reforms to the AFC’s youth competitions that were ratified earlier this year.

Designed to ensure more meaningful matches and opportunities for teams to compete against opponents of similar technical competency, a two-phase system featuring a promotion and relegation mechanism has been introduced.

Know your team: IR Iran

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Know your team: IR Iran

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran will take it one step at a time at the FIFA World Cup 2026 as they bid to make history at the global showpiece.

Three-time AFC Asian Cup™ winners, Iran have been at the forefront of Asian football for decades and will be on a mission to translate that success onto the global stage.

Europe Wrap: Cheers and tears for Asia’s best as season ends

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Europe Wrap: Cheers and tears for Asia’s best as season ends

Kuala Lumpur: With major European leagues officially closed for the season, there was much cheer for Japan’s Daizen Maeda, Korea Republic’s Lee Kang-in and his countryman Kim Min-jae, who were part of championship-winning squads in Scotland, France and Germany.

There was also disappointment for other continental stars as their clubs were relegated, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

#AsianCup2027 - The Groups

Mon, 11 May, 2026

#AsianCup2027 - The Groups

Riyadh: Fans can expect a scintillating AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ following Saturday's Final Draw in Riyadh.

While the usual teams will start as the pre-tournament favourites, the continental showpiece has a tendency of producing surprises and the-AFC.com takes a look at what can be expected from the groups.

#AsianCup2027 - Final Draw: What they said

Sun, 10 May, 2026

#AsianCup2027 - Final Draw: What they said

Riyadh: The stage is set for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with Saturday’s Final Draw producing six enticing groups.

As the teams plan their preparations for the January 7-February 5, 2027 continental showpiece, the-AFC.com listened to what several head coaches had to say after the glittering Final Draw at the historical Salwa Palace in Riyadh.

#AsianCup2027 - Road to glory paved

Sun, 10 May, 2026

#AsianCup2027 - Road to glory paved

Riyadh: Fans can expect a spectacular AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with Saturday's glittering Final Draw at the historical Salwa Palace in Riyadh producing a thrilling group stage.

The continental showpiece, to be hosted by Saudi Arabia for the first time, kicks off on January 7, 2027.

Europe Wrap: Asia’s best in sizzling form

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

Europe Wrap: Asia’s best in sizzling form

Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s Daizen Maeda, Ritsu Doan and Ayase Ueda as well as Korea Republic’s Lee Kang-in and Saudi Arabia’s Saud Abdulhamid were among the Asian stars playing pivotal roles in helping their teams obtain crucial results in major European leagues.

There were also goals and assists from other continental stalwarts, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe this past week.

Sousa: Shabab Al Ahli's hard work, vision paying off

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Sousa: Shabab Al Ahli's hard work, vision paying off

Jeddah: Shabab Al Ahli head coach Paulo Sousa heralded the work done by the club’s hierarchy as the Emirati outfit returned to the upper reaches of the continental championship on Tuesday as a 3-0 win over Tractor FC booked a spot in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™.

Second half goals from Yuri Cesar, Saeid Ezatolahi and Mateusao following a 52nd minute red card for Tractor goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand saw the Dubai-based outfit progress to the quarter-finals, where they will meet Thailand's Buriram United on Friday.

The club previously reached the last eight of the continental championship in 2015, two years prior to Al Ahli’s merger with Al Shabab and Dubai to form Shabab Al Ahli, and Sousa said qualification had been a long-held goal.

R16: Tractor FC (IRN) 0-3 Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

R16: Tractor FC (IRN) 0-3 Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Jeddah: Shabab Al Ahli booked their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ on Tuesday with a 3-0 win over 10-man Tractor FC from the Islamic Republic of Iran to set up a clash with Thailand's Buriram United.

Alireza Beiranvand’s 52nd minute sending off for a foul on Sardar Azmoun turned the game in favour of Paulo Sousa’s Emirati side with Yuri Cesar scoring from the penalty spot 13 minutes later before Saeid Ezatolahi doubled the lead 10 minutes from time.
 
Mateusao put the seal on Shabab Al Ahli’s victory with his side’s third eight minutes into stoppage time.
 
The win takes the side from Dubai into the last eight for the first time since 2015 and Sousa’s team will meet the reigning Thai champions at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium on Friday.

R16 - Preview: Tractor FC (IRN) v Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

R16 - Preview: Tractor FC (IRN) v Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Jeddah: Tractor FC and Shabab Al Ahli are set for a thrilling clash when they meet in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ on Tuesday.

Islamic Republic of Iran's Tractor finished an impressive third in the West Zone League Stage while Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates were seventh.

Japan stun England; wins for Australia, IR Iran

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Japan stun England; wins for Australia, IR Iran

Kuala Lumpur: Japan made history with their first ever win against England as Kaoru Mitoma sealed a 1-0 victory in Tuesday's international friendly at Wembley.

There were also wins for fellow FIFA World Cup-bound Australia and Islamic Republic of Iran. Jordan played to a draw with Nigeria while Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia suffered defeats.