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#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.

Wins for Australia, China PR, Guam, Indonesia and Uzbekistan

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Wins for Australia, China PR, Guam, Indonesia and Uzbekistan

Kuala Lumpur: FIFA World Cup 2026-bound Australia and Uzbekistan recorded contrasting wins in their FIFA Series matches on Friday.

There were also impressive victories for China PR, Guam and Indonesia while Jordan, Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia - who are also preparing for the global showpiece - were also in action.

Torcaso hails Philippines’ spirit; Jafari proud of IR Iran efforts

Mon, 09 Mar, 2026

Torcaso hails Philippines’ spirit; Jafari proud of IR Iran efforts

Gold Coast: Needing nothing less than victory in their final Group A clash on Sunday, Philippines head coach Mark Torcaso was delighted after coming away with a 2-0 win against the Islamic Republic of Iran for their first points at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.

Having fallen short against Australia and Korea Republic in two difficult matches, Torcaso hailed his players’ performance in a result that kept alive their hopes of advancing as one of the two best third-placed teams.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup.html/video/wac2026-|-group-a-ir-iran-0-2-philippines

Group A: IR Iran 0-2 Philippines

Sun, 08 Mar, 2026

Group A: IR Iran 0-2 Philippines

Gold Coast: The Philippines kept alive their hopes of making the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ knockout stage on Sunday by defeating the Islamic Republic of Iran 2-0.

A goal in each half confirmed third place in Group A and Mark Torcaso’s side will hope they have done enough to advance as one of the two best third-placed teams, with the final round of matches in the other two groups to be played in the next two days.