LATEST NEWS - IFA

Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Kuala Lumpur: No one will relish the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ more than Aymen Hussein with the competition being of huge significance for the striker.

Hussein’s international career with Iraq can be looked at in three separate blocks with a slow start to his first 30 matches for his country before showing upward trajectory in his next two blocks of games.

Group D: East Bengal FC (IND) 2-3 Al Shorta (IRQ)

Wed, 14 Oct, 2026

Group D: East Bengal FC (IND) 2-3 Al Shorta (IRQ)

Kolkata: Iraq’s Al Shorta came from behind to edge East Bengal FC 3-2 in a thrilling AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™ Group D encounter at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Tuesday.

David Lalhlansanga netted both of the Indian side’s goals in the first half while Ahmed Yahya, Hussein Al Saedi and Kingsley Kuku replied to give Sami Trabelsi’s side their second win.  

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-air-force-sc-irq-1-4-al-ain-fc-uae

Ivic demands continued focus from Al Ain

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Ivic demands continued focus from Al Ain

Basra: Vladimir Ivic urged Al Ain FC to maintain their concentration throughout their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ League Stage campaign despite their impressive 4-1 win over Air Force SC on Monday.

Houssine Rahimi’s brace led the former champions to a second successive win, having defeated Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Club 4-0 in their opener. 

Europe Wrap: Yang, Kamada and Goto net first goals

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Europe Wrap: Yang, Kamada and Goto net first goals

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic U23 winger Yang Min-hyeok and Japan internationals Daichi Kamada and Keisuke Goto struck their first goals of the season right after the international break - Yang in the Belgian Pro League, Kamada in the English Premier League and Goto in the Bundesliga. 

There were also goals - albeit at the wrong end of the pitch - for Japan’s Kota Takai and Shogo Taniguchi in their match for Sint-Truiden in Belgium, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

MD2: Air Force SC (IRQ) 1-4 Al Ain FC (UAE)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

MD2: Air Force SC (IRQ) 1-4 Al Ain FC (UAE)

Basra: Al Ain produced a dominant display to defeat Air Force Club 4-1 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ at the Basra International Stadium on Monday.

Houssine Rahimi struck twice as Al Ain raced to a 4-0 lead at the break, as the former champions cruised to a second successive win in emphatic fashion.

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal stay hot; Al Sadd shocked

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal stay hot; Al Sadd shocked

Doha: Al Hilal SFC stayed top of the Saudi Pro League with an impressive win against Al Ittihad Club.

Defending champions Al Sadd SC suffered their first defeat of the season while there were also matches in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman and Syria so join the-AFC.com in our weekly look back at the domestic action across West Asia.

Qualifiers - Group E: Syria 1-0 Iraq; India 4-0 Malaysia

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Qualifiers - Group E: Syria 1-0 Iraq; India 4-0 Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur: India flexed their muscles to book their spot in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027™ with a 4-0 win over Malaysia in their Qualifiers Group E clash on Sunday.

Joakim Alexandersson’s side finished their three-match qualifying round with a perfect run while Malaysia, who saw their hopes of a maiden Finals dashed, settled for second.

Syria had earlier edged Iraq 1-0 to end their campaign with their first win. 

Preview: Air Force SC (IRQ) v Al Ain FC (UAE)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Preview: Air Force SC (IRQ) v Al Ain FC (UAE)

Basra: Air Force SC desperately need victory when they welcome Al Ain FC for their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ tie on Monday.

Iraq's Air Force suffered defeat in their opening League Stage match while UAE's Al Ain got off to a flying start.

Qualifiers - Group E: Syria 0-2 India; Iraq 0-4 Malaysia

Thu, 08 Oct, 2026

Qualifiers - Group E: Syria 0-2 India; Iraq 0-4 Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur: India and Malaysia will clash for a place in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027™ after both sides won their respective Group E Qualifiers matches on Thursday.

India beat Syria 2-0 while Malaysia cruised past Iraq 4-0, with their concluding tie on Sunday earning the winners a place at the 11th edition of the Finals.

Qualifiers - Group E: India 14-0 Iraq; Malaysia 1-0 Syria 

Mon, 05 Oct, 2026

Qualifiers - Group E: India 14-0 Iraq; Malaysia 1-0 Syria 

Kuala Lumpur: India and Malaysia opened their respective AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027™ Group E campaigns in contrasting fashion on Monday. 

Anushka Kumari netted five times in India’s commanding 14-0 victory over Iraq while Malaysia edged a determined Syria 1-0.

Group A: Perfect Saudi Arabia; Oman pip Iraq

Wed, 30 Sep, 2026

Group A: Perfect Saudi Arabia; Oman pip Iraq

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia maintained their perfect run at the Gulf Cup 2026 by beating Iraq 2-0 to advance to the semi-finals as Group A winners on Tuesday.

Oman secured the other berth from the group after they defeated Kuwait 3-1, pipping Iraq to second spot by the luck of the draw after both teams finished on equal points, goal difference and goals scored.