LATEST NEWS - FOOTBALL AUSTRALIA

Vine lands in Melbourne; Cho heads to Spain

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

Vine lands in Melbourne; Cho heads to Spain

Kuala Lumpur: Melbourne City FC have secured one of Australian football’s most recognisable names, with Matildas star Cortnee Vine signing with the club for the 2026/27 campaign.

The 28-year-old Vine returned home following two seasons in the United States with North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League.

PS: Adelaide United (AUS) 0-2 Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE)

Tue, 11 Aug, 2026

PS: Adelaide United (AUS) 0-2 Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE)

Adelaide: Vietnam’s Cong An Ha Noi FC defeated Adelaide United of Australia 2-0 to secure their spot in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ League Stage on Tuesday.

Alexandre Polking’s V League 1 champions kept Adelaide quiet throughout with goals from Henen and Koko sealing their place in the draw in Kuala Lumpur on August 18.

Mabil returns home; Denilson strengthens Dewa United

Fri, 07 Aug, 2026

Mabil returns home; Denilson strengthens Dewa United

Kuala Lumpur: Australia international Awer Mabil has ended more than a decade abroad to join Melbourne City, while Dewa United have added Brazilian forward Denilson Junior to their attacking ranks.

Persik Kediri, Brisbane Roar, Al Shamal and Lusail SC were also active as transfer activity continued across ASEAN, West Asia and Australia.

Yokota to power up Rangers; Irvine chooses Cerezo

Thu, 06 Aug, 2026

Yokota to power up Rangers; Irvine chooses Cerezo

Glasgow: Japanese winger Daisuke Yokota aims to create "special memories" after joining Scottish Premiership club Rangers from Hannover 96 on Wednesday.

Yokota has agreed a three-year contract with the option of a further season. The deal is worth a reported initial £2.75 million, plus add-ons.

Bajrami joins Al Taawoun; Kennedy makes Macarthur switch

Wed, 05 Aug, 2026

Bajrami joins Al Taawoun; Kennedy makes Macarthur switch

Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun have strengthened their attacking options with the loan signing of Albania international Nedim Bajrami, while Macarthur FC have added Scottish winger Kai Kennedy to their ranks.

Perth Glory and Western Sydney Wanderers were also active in the women’s transfer market, securing New Zealand international Maggie Jenkins and Lebanon defender Tiana Jaber respectively.

Hashioka links up with Gladbach; Lee off to Darmstadt

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

Hashioka links up with Gladbach; Lee off to Darmstadt

Kuala Lumpur: Asian stars continue to pick Germany as their preferred destination with Daiki Hashioka and Lee Ho-jae the latest to confirm moves there.

Borussia Monchengladbach have signed Daiki Hashioka on a season-long loan from Czech champions Slavia Prague, with the deal including an option to buy the Japan international.

Sailors capture Phaeton; Ko inks Dewa deal

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

Sailors capture Phaeton; Ko inks Dewa deal

Kuala Lumpur: Lion City Sailors have bolstered their attacking ranks with the signing of Guadeloupe international Matthias Phaeton, while Korea Republic defender Ko Myeong-seok has completed a move to Indonesia’s Dewa United.

David Aizawa has also left J.League outfit Vissel Kobe for Division 2 side Oita Trinita on loan, with Melbourne City adding Brazilian midfielder Matheus Rossetto to their squad.

Koln snap up Okon-Engstler, Dahal joins Al Hilal

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Koln snap up Okon-Engstler, Dahal joins Al Hilal

Kuala Lumpur: Australian international Paul Okon-Engstler secured a move to German Bundesliga club FC Koln on a four-year deal on Thursday.

Four-time Asian champions Al Hilal SFC, meanwhile, have inked a deal with rising talent Sabri Dahal, signing the youngster from fellow Saudi Pro League, Al Fayha.

Asian Review: Australia

Wed, 22 Jul, 2026

Asian Review: Australia

Kuala Lumpur: The curtain came down on the FIFA World Cup 2026 with Spain edging Argentina to lift the coveted trophy for the second time in their history.

For Asia's nine representatives, their appearance on the global stage saw highs and lows but more importantly, gave them insights on what needs to be done to stand toe to toe with the world's best.

The teams will be determined to build on their experience and the-AFC.com takes a look at how the Asian sides fared, with Australia kicking off the series.

Australia's Beach joins Troyes

Mon, 20 Jul, 2026

Australia's Beach joins Troyes

Melbourne: Australia’s FIFA World Cup goalkeeper Patrick Beach has joined French first division side Troyes from A-League outfit Melbourne City, the club has confirmed.

Beach featured in all four of the Socceroos matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after head coach Tony Popovic sprung a surprise in Australia’s opening game against Turkey, selecting the 22-year-old ahead of veteran shot stopper Mathew Ryan.

#U17WAC - Stage set for China 2027 Qualifiers

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

#U17WAC - Stage set for China 2027 Qualifiers

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ China 2027 is all set for take off following the conclusion of the Qualifiers Draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 30 teams - two more than the previous record of 28 from the 2019 Qualifiers - were divided into eight groups - six of four and two of three - to contest a single round-robin centralised league from October 5 to 11.

Each group winner will advance to the Finals, joining the quartet of teams that have qualified directly as the top four finishers from the 2026 campaign: defending champions DPR Korea, runners-up Japan, and semi-finalists Australia and China PR.

Spotlight on heart health at #WAC2026

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Spotlight on heart health at #WAC2026

Perth, Gold Coast, Sydney: Away from the thrilling action at the recent AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, the AFC Dream Asia Foundation teamed up with Football Australia and the Heartbeat of Football Foundation to deliver a strong awareness campaign off the pitch.

The arrival of the 21st edition of Asia’s premier women’s showpiece presented the perfect opportunity for the Play With Heart initiative to take place across Perth, Gold Coast and Sydney from March 1 to 21, 2026.