LATEST NEWS - IFA

Group A: Saudi Arabia snatch win; Iraq, Oman share points

Thu, 24 Sep, 2026

Group A: Saudi Arabia snatch win; Iraq, Oman share points

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia needed an own goal to open their Gulf Cup 2026 campaign with a win against Kuwait on Wednesday. 

Iraq and Oman, meanwhile, settled for a 1-1 draw in the other Group A tie at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium.

Preview - 27th Gulf Cup

Tue, 22 Sep, 2026

Preview - 27th Gulf Cup

Jeddah: Eight of the region’s leading sides will battle for supremacy when the 27th Gulf Cup kicks off in Jeddah on Wednesday.

Hosts Saudi Arabia will be seeking a fourth title, while defending champions Bahrain, record 10-time winners Kuwait and four-time champions Iraq are among the teams hoping to emerge victorious.

West Asia Wrap: Al Karma take charge in Iraq; Al Faisaly surge in Jordan

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Karma take charge in Iraq; Al Faisaly surge in Jordan

Doha: Al Karma are setting the pace in the Iraq Stars League, moving two points clear at the top after edging Zakho.

The race in Jordan is beginning to take shape while the other West Asian leagues were not in action due to the international break.

Group D: Al Shorta (IRQ) 1-0 Al Seeb Club (OMA)

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

Group D: Al Shorta (IRQ) 1-0 Al Seeb Club (OMA)

Baghdad: Al Shorta began their AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™ campaign on the right foot after edging Al Seeb Club 1-0 at Al Zawraa Stadium on Wednesday.

Hussein Al Saedi’s second half effort separated the two sides as the Iraqi side set the early pace in Group D following Al Hussein and East Bengal FC’s 2-2 in the other game.

Jebel optimistic despite Air Force SC's losing start

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

Jebel optimistic despite Air Force SC's losing start

Fergana: Fethi Jebel l had no complaints despite seeing his Air Force SC side falling to a 1-0 defeat against PFC Neftchi in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener on Monday.

Zoran Marusic’s late header earned Uzbekistan's Neftchi a 1-0 victory, with Iraq's Air Force left to rue defeat despite producing a good performance.

MD1: PFC Neftchi (UZB) 1-0 Air Force SC (IRQ)

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

MD1: PFC Neftchi (UZB) 1-0 Air Force SC (IRQ)

Fergana: Zoran Marusic’s late header earned PFC Neftchi a 1-0 victory over Iraq’s Air Force FC on Monday as the side from Uzbekistan made a winning start to their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ campaign in Fergana.

The Serbian forward rose to meet Koffi Kouao’s cross from the right in the 83rd minute to ensure Islombek Ismoilov’s side saw their superiority reap a deserved win in the club’s first appearance in this season’s competition.

 

Neftchi had looked destined to end the evening frustrated by a series of missed opportunities that threatened to force the hosts into a share the points with their Iraqi visitors until Marusic nodded in the winner.

West Asia Wrap: Martinelli stars for Al Hilal; Al Sadd continue sizzling form

Mon, 14 Sep, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Martinelli stars for Al Hilal; Al Sadd continue sizzling form

Doha: Gabriel Martinelli scored a hat-trick as Al Hilal SFC swept to a 6-0 win against Al Taawoun on Saturday to stay top in the Saudi Pro League.

Al Sadd SC moved two points clear in Qatar while Al Jazira and Al Ain FC dropped points for the first time in UAE.

There were also matches in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Oman so join the-AFC.com in our weekly review of the domestic action across West Asia.

Preview: PFC Neftchi (UZB) v Air Force SC (IRQ)

Mon, 14 Sep, 2026

Preview: PFC Neftchi (UZB) v Air Force SC (IRQ)

Fergana: PFC Neftchi and Air Force SC will be equally determined to kick off on the front foot when they meet in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener on Monday.

Uzbekistan's Neftchi are making a return to the competition after almost two decades while Iraq's Air Force will be on a mission to add to their AFC Cup success.

#ACBeachSoccer - Pathway to glory revealed

Thu, 10 Sep, 2026

#ACBeachSoccer - Pathway to glory revealed

Kuala Lumpur: The pathway to AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ glory was revealed following the Draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 12 teams, led by defending champions Islamic Republic of Iran, were divided into three groups.

Qualifiers - Group F: UAE 3-2 Turkmenistan; Iraq 3-1 Thailand

Sun, 06 Sep, 2026

Qualifiers - Group F: UAE 3-2 Turkmenistan; Iraq 3-1 Thailand

Chonburi: Moamel Malik struck twice as Iraq handed Thailand a 3-1 defeat on Sunday to claim top spot in Group F of the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifiers as both nations confirmed their progress to the Finals after the United Arab Emirates secured a 3-2 win over Turkmenistan.

Malik scored in the 10th and 45th minutes with Aws Ghazi Al Talebi also netting after 19 minutes as the Iraqis claimed their second win to finish ahead of the Thais on head-to-head record. The UAE finished third with Turkmenistan fourth.

Qualifiers - Group F: Turkmenistan 0-1 Thailand; UAE 1-2 Iraq

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Qualifiers - Group F: Turkmenistan 0-1 Thailand; UAE 1-2 Iraq

Chonburi: Thailand moved three points clear at the top of Group F in the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifiers on Thursday with a 1-0 win over Turkmenistan in Chonburi as Iraq battled back to secure an eventful 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates.

The Thais picked up their second win in a row with Siwa Pikulhom’s 57th minute volley earning Jukkapant Punpee’s side three points to move clear at the summit with one round of matches remaining.

The win follows an opening victory against the UAE and leaves Thailand on the cusp of qualifying for next year’s finals, which will be played in Uzbekistan.

Group F: Iraq 1-2 Turkmenistan; Thailand 1-0 UAE

Mon, 31 Aug, 2026

Group F: Iraq 1-2 Turkmenistan; Thailand 1-0 UAE

Chonburi: Turkmenistan stunned Iraq 2-1 in their AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifiers Group F opener on Monday.

Thailand were equally impressive, edging the United Arab Emirates 1-0.