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AFC Grassroots Day 2026 unites Asia’s football communities – Part 1

Fri, 17 Jul, 2026

AFC Grassroots Day 2026 unites Asia’s football communities – Part 1

Kuala Lumpur: The 13th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Grassroots Day brought communities together across the Continent as 45 Member Associations (MAs) celebrated the beautiful game and engaged thousands of participants in a showcase of football's power to inspire, connect and include.

Held annually on May 23, this year's events once again coincided with FIFA's World Football Week, reinforcing the AFC's support for the United Nations' Football for the Goals initiative and its shared commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through football.
 
Join us at the-AFC.com for the first in a series that highlights how MAs embraced the AFC Grassroots Day 2026 with creativity and enthusiasm.

Moroccan Zaki named Jordan head coach

Mon, 20 Jul, 2026

Moroccan Zaki named Jordan head coach

Kuala Lumpur: Moroccan Badou Zaki has taken charge of the Jordan national team, with the former goalkeeper signing a one-year contract.

Zaki, 67, replaces compatriot Jamal Sellami, who guided Jordan in their recent FIFA World Cup debut campaign.

#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.

Sellami, Jordan part ways

Mon, 06 Jul, 2026

Sellami, Jordan part ways

Amman: Jamal Sellami has stepped down as head coach of the national team, the Jordan Football Association (JFA) said on Sunday.

Sellami's departure comes after Jordan ended their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with three defeats.

Sellami: Jordan will put lessons learnt to good use

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Sellami: Jordan will put lessons learnt to good use

Arlington: Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami believes his players will benefit from their experience at the nation’s first-ever FIFA World Cup after a 3-1 loss to defending champions Argentina saw the West Asian side bow out of the competition without a point in Group J.

Mousa Al Tamari came off the bench to score for the Jordanians 10 minutes into the second half, the France-based striker halving Argentina’s lead after Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez had given Lionel Scaloni’s side a two-goal half-time lead.

 

Lionel Messi then scored with an 80th minute free-kick to take the three-times winners into the next round while the Jordanians made their way to the exit door after losses against Argentina, Austria and Algeria.

Group J: Jordan 1-3 Argentina

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Group J: Jordan 1-3 Argentina

Arlington: Valiant Jordan's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign ended with a 3-1 defeat to Argentina in their Group J tie on Saturday.

The tournament debutants gave it a go against the South American side but had to concede to the defending champions' superiority, with Lionel Messi coming off the bench to score his sixth goal of the tournament.

Preview - Group J: Jordan v Argentina

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group J: Jordan v Argentina

Arlington: Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami is confident his players have overcome their disappointment of the 2-1 defeat to Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and will go into their final Group J clash with defending champions Argentina in Dallas on Saturday in a positive frame of mind.

The loss to the North African side, which came after Nizar Al Rashdan had given the Jordanians a first-half lead, means Sellami's side have no chance of progressing to the knockout rounds in the country's debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

Sellami: Inexperience cost Jordan

Wed, 24 Jun, 2026

Sellami: Inexperience cost Jordan

Santa Clara: Jamal Sellami admitted inexperience was the major reason for Jordan's 2-1 defeat to Algeria in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J tie on Monday.

The tournament debutants took the lead through Nizar Al Rashdan in the 36th minute but Algeria hit back in the second half through Nadhir Benbouali and Amine Gouiri, with the defeat consigning Jordan to an early exit.

Group J: Jordan 1-2 Algeria

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

Group J: Jordan 1-2 Algeria

Santa Clara: Algeria came behind to beat Jordan 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J game on Monday, eliminating the Asian debutants after two matches.

Amine Gouiri equalised Nizar Al Rashdan's opening goal before Nadhir Benbouali scored Algeria's winner in the 82nd minute in Santa Clara.

Austria lost 2-0 to Argentina earlier on Monday, leaving the South Americans top of Group J on six points. The Austrians and Algeria have three points each.

The win gives Algeria hope of progressing to the knockout round if they can beat Austria in Kansas City on Saturday, while Jordan face Argentina in Arlington, Texas.

Preview - Group J: Jordan v Algeria

Sun, 21 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group J: Jordan v Algeria

Santa Clara: Jordan will be fighting to keep their FIFA World Cup 2026 dreams alive when they face Algeria in Group J at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Monday.

Jordan were beaten 3-1 by Austria in their opening fixture, while Algeria also conceded three goals to Argentina, making this a match neither can afford to lose.

Victory would revive qualification hopes, but defeat would leave either side in serious danger of an early exit before the final round of group matches.

Valiant Jordan make Sellami proud

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Valiant Jordan make Sellami proud

Santa Clara: Head coach Jamal Sellami said there was no shame in defeat for Jordan in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Austria on Tuesday.

The tactician said the 3-1 scoreline didn't do justice to the effort his players had put in, with Jordan making their FIFA World Cup debut at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

Group J: Austria 3-1 Jordan

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Group J: Austria 3-1 Jordan

Santa Clara: Jordan's hopes of kicking off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on the front foot were dashed by a strong Austria at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Tuesday.

Ali Olwan's brilliant strike drew the tournament debutants level after Romano Schmid had put Austria ahead in the first half. Yazan Al Arab's own goal and Marko Arnautovic's stoppage time penalty, however, sealed Austria the points from the Group J tie.