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AFC Grassroots Day 2026 unites Asia’s football communities – Part 2

Mon, 20 Jul, 2026

AFC Grassroots Day 2026 unites Asia’s football communities – Part 2

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 second part of a series (Part 1 can be found here) that highlights how MAs embraced the AFC Grassroots Day 2026 with creativity and enthusiasm.

#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.

#AFCU20 China 2027 - Stage set for Qualifiers

Thu, 28 May, 2026

#AFCU20 China 2027 - Stage set for Qualifiers

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifiers are set to be a scintillating affair following the Official Draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

To be staged between August 25 and September 6, 2026 in a centralised league system, these Qualifiers will feature the implementation of a new format as part of key reforms to the AFC’s youth competitions that were ratified earlier this year.

Designed to ensure more meaningful matches and opportunities for teams to compete against opponents of similar technical competency, a two-phase system featuring a promotion and relegation mechanism has been introduced.

#AsianCup2027 - The Groups

Mon, 11 May, 2026

#AsianCup2027 - The Groups

Riyadh: Fans can expect a scintillating AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ following Saturday's Final Draw in Riyadh.

While the usual teams will start as the pre-tournament favourites, the continental showpiece has a tendency of producing surprises and the-AFC.com takes a look at what can be expected from the groups.

#AsianCup2027 - Final Draw: What they said

Sun, 10 May, 2026

#AsianCup2027 - Final Draw: What they said

Riyadh: The stage is set for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with Saturday’s Final Draw producing six enticing groups.

As the teams plan their preparations for the January 7-February 5, 2027 continental showpiece, the-AFC.com listened to what several head coaches had to say after the glittering Final Draw at the historical Salwa Palace in Riyadh.

#AsianCup2027 - Road to glory paved

Sun, 10 May, 2026

#AsianCup2027 - Road to glory paved

Riyadh: Fans can expect a spectacular AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with Saturday's glittering Final Draw at the historical Salwa Palace in Riyadh producing a thrilling group stage.

The continental showpiece, to be hosted by Saudi Arabia for the first time, kicks off on January 7, 2027.

Q-final: Kanno strike sends Saudi Arabia through

Fri, 12 Dec, 2025

Q-final: Kanno strike sends Saudi Arabia through

Lusail: Mohamed Kanno’s extra-time header earned Saudi Arabia a 2-1 win against gutsy Palestine in their FIFA Arab Cup 2025 quarter-final tie on Thursday.

Herve Renard’s side were pushed to the limit before finding the winner at Lusail Stadium - the same venue where they stunned eventual champions Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - and will next face either Jordan or Iraq in Monday’s semi-finals.

Preview: Quarter-finals

Wed, 10 Dec, 2025

Preview: Quarter-finals

Doha: Hopes are high that an Asian team will lift the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 after six of the continent's representatives advanced to the quarter-finals.

United Arab Emirates were the final Asian side to confirm their last eight spot, joining Palestine, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq.

Ahead of the quarter-finals which will be played on Thursday and Friday, the-AFC.com takes a look at the match-ups.

Group A: Syria 0-0 Palestine

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

Group A: Syria 0-0 Palestine

Doha: Syria and Palestine progressed to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 after sharing a goalless stalemate in their final Group A tie on Sunday.

Both finished on five points, with Palestine topping the group on goal difference.

Preview - Group A: MD3

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Preview - Group A: MD3

Doha: Palestine and Syria are well placed to advance to the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 knockout stage going into their final Group A fixtures on Sunday.

The Matchday Two draw with Tunisia took Palestine level on four points with Syria, who equalised late against Qatar.

Group A: Palestine 2-2 Tunisia

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

Group A: Palestine 2-2 Tunisia

Doha: Palestine fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 stalemate against Tunisia in their FIFA Arab Cup 2025 Group A tie on Thursday.

With four points on the board, Palestine are in a great position to reach the quarter-finals and will look to complete the job against Syria on Sunday.

Preview - Group A: MD2

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Preview - Group A: MD2

Doha: Early pacesetters Palestine and Syria will be looking to maintain their momentum on Matchday 2 of the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 on Thursday.

Both earned hard-fought 1-0 wins on Monday to put them in a good position to advance to quarter-finals while Tunisia and Qatar will have to bounce back to pull themselves back into the race.