LATEST NEWS - SAFF

Europe Wrap: Cheers and tears for Asia’s best as season ends

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Europe Wrap: Cheers and tears for Asia’s best as season ends

Kuala Lumpur: With major European leagues officially closed for the season, there was much cheer for Japan’s Daizen Maeda, Korea Republic’s Lee Kang-in and his countryman Kim Min-jae, who were part of championship-winning squads in Scotland, France and Germany.

There was also disappointment for other continental stars as their clubs were relegated, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

West Asia Wrap: Champs crowned in Iraq, Lebanon

Mon, 25 May, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Champs crowned in Iraq, Lebanon

Doha: Air Force SC and Al Ansar were crowned champions of Iraq and Lebanon respectively over the past week.

Joao Felix celebrated Al Nassr Club emerging the Saudi Pro League champions by being named the Player of the Season.

Champions Al Seeb Club concluded their Oman Pro League season in style while there were also matches in Kuwait and Syria so join the-AFC.com in our weekly wrap of the West Asia domestic scene.

Ronaldo strikes twice as Al Nassr lift title

Fri, 22 May, 2026

Ronaldo strikes twice as Al Nassr lift title

Riyadh: Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Al Nassr Club clinched the Saudi Pro League title with a 4-1 win over Damac on Thursday.

A trademark free-kick and a close-range finish, both in the final half-hour, sealed the win Al Nassr needed on the last night of the season, with Al Hilal SFC finishing just two points behind.

Continent’s finest set for Qatar 2026

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Continent’s finest set for Qatar 2026

Zurich:  Asia's hopefuls discovered their road to glory following the conclusion of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 Draw in Zurich on Thursday.

The 48-team tournament will be contested on November 19 to December 13, with Asia represented by nine sides.

West Asia Wrap: Al Nassr, Al Hilal set for final day drama

Sun, 17 May, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Nassr, Al Hilal set for final day drama

Doha: The race for the Saudi Pro League title will go down to the wire after Al Hilal SFC stayed within two points of Al Nassr Club on Saturday with just one matchday remaining.

Al Muharraq Club retained their Bahraini Premier League crown while there were also matches in the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Oman. The-AFC.com takes a look at the past week's domestic action across West Asia.

Gamba Osaka’s historic triumph draws high praise from AFC President

Sun, 17 May, 2026

Gamba Osaka’s historic triumph draws high praise from AFC President

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has extended his warmest congratulations to Gamba Osaka following their 1-0 victory over Al Nassr Club in the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ Final at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on Saturday.

Defying an intense atmospheric challenge away from home, the landmark victory marks Gamba’s first major continental trophy since their famous 2008 AFC Champions League™ campaign. With this triumph, the Japanese side wrote an unprecedented chapter by becoming the first club in the East region to capture both the top-tier and second-tier titles in AFC club football.

Slow start cost Al Nassr, says Jesus

Sun, 17 May, 2026

Slow start cost Al Nassr, says Jesus

Riyadh: Jorge Jesus admitted that Al Nassr Club paid the price for their slow start after the Saudi Arabian side fell to a 1-0 defeat against Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ final on Saturday.

Al Nassr had cruised into the final with a perfect record of 10 wins but came undone when least expected, with Jesus conceding that Japan’s Gamba had caught his side by surprise.

Hummet strikes as Gamba stun Al Nassr to lift trophy

Sun, 17 May, 2026

Hummet strikes as Gamba stun Al Nassr to lift trophy

Riyadh: Deniz Hummet’s strike secured Gamba Osaka a stunning 1-0 win over Al Nassr Club in the final of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ at the King Saud University Stadium on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr just could not find a way past Gamba’s defence as the Japanese side tasted continental glory for the first time since lifting the AFC Champions League™ trophy in 2008.

Defeat meant heartbreak for Al Nassr, who were determined to be the first side from Saudi Arabia to win the AFC Champions League Two.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u17_asian_cup.html/video/afcu17-q-final-saudi-arabia-1-3-china-pr

#AFCU17 - Q-final: Saudi Arabia 1-3 China PR

Sat, 16 May, 2026

#AFCU17 - Q-final: Saudi Arabia 1-3 China PR

Jeddah: China PR came from behind to stun Saudi Arabia 3-1 in their AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ quarter-final at the King Abdullah Sports City Pitch A on Friday.

China PR’s reward is a last four tie against either Vietnam or Australia, who will square off in their quarter-final on Saturday. 

Preview - Final: Al Nassr Club (KSA) v Gamba Osaka (JPN)

Sun, 17 May, 2026

Preview - Final: Al Nassr Club (KSA) v Gamba Osaka (JPN)

Riyadh: Al Nassr Club and Gamba Osaka will both be bidding to end long waits for a continental title when they square off in the final of the AFC Champions League Two  2025/26™ on Saturday.

Al Nassr last savoured continental glory in the 1990s while Gamba won the 2008 AFC Champions League™, with both teams having enjoyed smooth passage into the decider at the King Saud University Stadium.

Felix: We have to win it for Al Nassr’s fans

Fri, 15 May, 2026

Felix: We have to win it for Al Nassr’s fans

Riyadh: Joao Felix is adamant that Al Nassr Club will win their final two matches, starting with Saturday’s AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 final against Japan’s Gamba Osaka, to make it a great season for their fans.

The Riyadh-based side are also on the verge of lifting the Saudi Pro League title and attacking midfielder Felix said Al Nassr are determined to deliver double joy for their fans.