LATEST NEWS - JFA

R16 (2nd Leg): Al Hussein fight back to advance

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

R16 (2nd Leg): Al Hussein fight back to advance

Amman: Al Hussein came from behind to defeat Islamic Republic of Iran's Esteghlal FC 3-2 in the second leg of their AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ Round of 16 on Tuesday.

The Jordanian side advanced 4-2 on aggregate and will meet either Iran’s Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC or Al Ahli SC of Qatar in the quarter-finals.

Europe Wrap: Scoring week for Asian stars

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

Europe Wrap: Scoring week for Asian stars

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran’s Allahyar Sayyad, Jordan’s Mousa Al Tamari, Syria’s Aiham Ousou and Japan’s Atsuki Ito all found the back of the net across Europe this past week.

Japan international Wataru Endo made his first league start of the season for Liverpool in the English Premier League but the midfielder’s joy was short-lived as he was stretchered out after the break with an ankle injury. 

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal keep challengers at bay; Al Ain stay in contention

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal keep challengers at bay; Al Ain stay in contention

Doha: Al Hilal SFC stayed a point ahead in the Saudi Pro League title race with a 2-0 win against Al Ettifaq.

Al Ain drew level with leaders Shabab Al Ahli while there were also matches in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria so join the-AFC.com in our weekly wrap of the West Asian domestic scene.

R16 (1st Leg): Esteghlal FC (IRN) 0-1 Al Hussein (JOR)

Wed, 11 Feb, 2026

R16 (1st Leg): Esteghlal FC (IRN) 0-1 Al Hussein (JOR)

Dubai: Jordan’s Al Hussein secured the early advantage after edging Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal FC 1-0 in their AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ Round of 16 first leg tie at the neutral venue of Al Maktoum Stadium on Tuesday.

Put under immense pressure for large parts of the match, Sisa’s late strike will give Franco’s side confidence that they can finish the job in the return fixture in Amman next week. 

West Asia Wrap: Race remains tight in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE

Mon, 09 Feb, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Race remains tight in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE

Doha: Al Hilal SFC and Shabab Al Ahli maintained their pole positions in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates respectively with crucial wins this past week.

Al Sadd SC, meanwhile, took over the Qatar Stars League top spot with all three teams holding single point advantages at the top in their respective leagues.

There was also action in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman and Syria so join the-AFC.com in our weekly look back of the domestic action across West Asia.

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal held; Al Sadd close in

Mon, 02 Feb, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal held; Al Sadd close in

Doha: Al Hilal SFC's lead in the Saudi Pro League was reduced to three points after they were held by Al Qadisiyah.

Al Sadd SC, meanwhile, narrowed the gap with Al Gharafa SC to just two points after defeating the leaders while two wins over the week saw Shabab Al Ahli moving to the top of the UAE Pro League.

There were also matches in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria so join the-AFC.com in our weekly review of the West Asia domestic scene.

#AFCU23 - Players who caught the eye

Tue, 27 Jan, 2026

#AFCU23 - Players who caught the eye

Jeddah: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ delivered a showcase of emerging talents, as Asia’s rising stars left their mark at every stage of the continental showpiece.

Lethal finishers, midfield maestros and shot-stopping goalkeepers were on display and the-AFC.com highlights several players who lit up the continental showpiece.

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal held; Erbil suffer setback

Mon, 26 Jan, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal held; Erbil suffer setback

Doha: Al Hilal SFC's lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League was reduced to five points following a 1-1 draw with Al Riyadh on Sunday.

Erbil SC's title hopes suffered a setback in Iraq while there were also matches in Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon and Oman, so join the-AFC.com as we review the past week's domestic action across West Asia.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/video/afcu23-|-quarter-finals-japan-1-4-2-1-jordan

The future is bright for Jordan, says Najhi

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

The future is bright for Jordan, says Najhi

Jeddah: Jordan head coach Omar Najhi admitted that fine margins proved decisive following his side’s quarter-final exit from the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ on Friday.

Despite that, Najhi praised his players for their fighting spirit and maturity in the hard-fought contest which ended 1-1 after extra-time, with defending champions Japan winning the penalty shoot-out 4-2.

Q-final: Shootout win takes Japan past Jordan

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Q-final: Shootout win takes Japan past Jordan

Jeddah: Japan defeated Jordan 4-2 on penalties to advance to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ semi-finals, with the last eight tie having ended 1-1 after extra-time at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium on Friday. 

Goalkeeper Rui Araki was the hero, saving two spot-kicks as the defending champions stayed on track for a third title. It was heartbreak for a Jordan side who went toe-to-toe with the East Asians only to come up just short.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/photo/q-final-japan-v-jordan-1