LATEST NEWS - FFIRI

Australia, Iran stumble

Wed, 30 Sep, 2026

Australia, Iran stumble

Kuala Lumpur: Australia and Islamic Republic of Iran suffered defeats in international friendly matches played on Tuesday.

Australia gave Brazil a good fight before losing 4-2 while Iran were second best in a 2-0 loss to Russia.

AG (M): China PR, DPR Korea seal knockout stage spots

Wed, 23 Sep, 2026

AG (M): China PR, DPR Korea seal knockout stage spots

Kuala Lumpur: China PR and DPR Korea became the final two teams to book their berths in the Asian Games 2026 men’s football quarter-finals after the completion of the group stage on Wednesday.

The last eight showdowns will see defending champions Korea Republic facing Vietnam, China PR taking on Thailand, Uzbekistan playing Saudi Arabia while Japan will meet DPR Korea with the matches to take place on Friday and Saturday.

AG(M): Japan, Thailand seal q-final berths in style

Sun, 20 Sep, 2026

AG(M): Japan, Thailand seal q-final berths in style

Kuala Lumpur: Japan and Thailand continued to impress at the Asian Games 2026, registering emphatic wins in Group A of the men’s football tournament on Sunday to confirm their places in the quarter-finals.

Thailand powered to a 5-1 win over Hong Kong, China, while Japan were equally dominant, cruising 7-0 past Kyrgyz Republic.

In Group B, Islamic Republic of Iran and China PR played to a goalless draw to move onto four points each.

Kyrgyz Republic defeat Tajikistan to clinch maiden title

Sun, 20 Sep, 2026

Kyrgyz Republic defeat Tajikistan to clinch maiden title

Tashkent: Kyrgyz Republic were crowned CAFA U17 Women’s Championship 2026 champions after defeating Tajikistan 2-0 in their final match on Saturday. 

Goals from Perizat Zairbekova and Akak Ishembieva secured the victory, with Antonio Mesa’s side finishing the four-team tournament unbeaten on seven points. 

AG (M): Japan, China PR make winning starts

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

AG (M): Japan, China PR make winning starts

Kuala Lumpur: The second day of men’s football action at the Asian Games 2026 saw hosts Japan secure a 2-0 win against Hong Kong, China on Wednesday.

China PR, Thailand and Islamic Republic of Iran also picked up wins as competition to the knockout stage intensified.

Group B: Golgohar Sirjan FC (IRN) 0-0 Al Jazira FSC (UAE)

Wed, 30 Sep, 2026

Group B: Golgohar Sirjan FC (IRN) 0-0 Al Jazira FSC (UAE)

Hisor: AFC Champions League Two™ newcomers Golgohar Sirjan from the Islamic Republic of Iran held Al Jazira of the United Arab Emirates to a 0-0 draw at Hisor Central Stadium on Tuesday as the teams took a point apiece in their Group B opener.

Neither side was able to find a way through during the clash in Tajikistan with the Iranians’ well-drilled defence keeping their more experienced Cosmin Olaroiu-coached opponents at bay throughout.

Bakhtiarizadeh wants Esteghlal to aim higher

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

Bakhtiarizadeh wants Esteghlal to aim higher

Basra: Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh paid tribute to his players after Esteghlal FC produced a clinical performance to defeat Al Sadd SC 3-0 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ tie on Monday. 

Jasir Asani opened the scoring for the Islamic Republic of Iran side, with further strikes from Saeid Saharkhizan and Esmaeil Gholizadeh confirming the points. 

MD1: Esteghlal FC (IRN) 3-0 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Mon, 28 Sep, 2026

MD1: Esteghlal FC (IRN) 3-0 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Basra: Esteghlal FC took advantage of their chances to overcome Qatar’s Al Sadd SC 3-0 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener at the Basra International Stadium on Monday. 

Jasir Asani capitalised on a defensive error to fire the Islamic Republic of Iran outfit ahead in the ninth minute before Saeid Saharkhizan extended their lead two minutes after the break and Esmaeil Gholizadeh sealed the match five minutes into injury time.

In a match largely dominated by the 19-time Qatar Stars League champions, Razvan Lucescu’s side were let down by poor finishing, with only one shot on target and a goal overturned by VAR.

MD1: Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) 1-0 Tractor FC (IRN)

Mon, 28 Sep, 2026

MD1: Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) 1-0 Tractor FC (IRN)

Dubai: Shabab Al Ahli opened their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ campaign with a 1-0 win over Islamic Republic of Iran’s Tractor FC on Monday.

Yuri Cesar’s opportunistic 22nd-minute strike at the Rashid Stadium capped a well-rounded display by the United Arab Emirates side in their competition opener as they look to lift their first continental trophy.

Preview: Esteghlal FC (IRN) v Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

Preview: Esteghlal FC (IRN) v Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Basra: Esteghlal FC and Al Sadd SC are set for a titanic clash in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Monday.

Both will be seeking winning starts as they look to go all the way in Asia's premier men's club tournament.

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

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

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

Dubai: Shabab Al Ahli will be on a mission to extend their unbeaten run against Tractor FC when the sides square off in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Monday.

The last three meetings between the sides from the United Arab Emirates and Islamic Republic of Iran ended with two wins and a draw for the former.

Preview: The 2026 Challenge

Sun, 13 Sep, 2026

Preview: The 2026 Challenge

Kuala Lumpur: The next generation of talent will converge in Japan for the Asian Games 2026 as Korea Republic and Japan look to defend their gold medal in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.

With the Women’s competition to kick-off the action on Monday, the-AFC.com previews the upcoming football festival.