LATEST NEWS - SAFF

Martinelli joins Al Hilal

Fri, 04 Sep, 2026

Martinelli joins Al Hilal

Riyadh: Forward Gabriel Martinelli joined Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal SFC from English Premier League champions Arsenal on Thursday.

Martinelli has signed a four-year deal with Al Hilal, who are currently joint-top of the Saudi Pro League with Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr Club.

Qualifiers - Group E: Oman 2-3 Saudi Arabia; Hong Kong, China 0-3 Qatar

Fri, 04 Sep, 2026

Qualifiers - Group E: Oman 2-3 Saudi Arabia; Hong Kong, China 0-3 Qatar

Doha: Saudi Arabia stayed perfect in Group E after defeating Oman 3-2 in their AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifiers match on Thursday.

With six points in the bag, the 2018 champions hold the advantage with a three-point gap on Oman and Qatar.

Qatar revived their campaign with a 3-0 win against Hong Kong, China.

Hwang moves to Schalke; Diaby leaves Al Ittihad

Wed, 02 Sep, 2026

Hwang moves to Schalke; Diaby leaves Al Ittihad

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic international Hwang Hee-chan sealed a loan move to Schalke 04, while Moussa Diaby ended his spell with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad Club to return to Bayer Leverkusen on transfer deadline day for European clubs on Tuesday.

Also making a switch were Japan internationals Yukinari Sugawara and Kota Takai, while Australia forward Kusini Yengi joined Sanfrecce Hiroshima on loan.

Group E: Qatar 1-2 Oman; Saudi Arabia 2-0 Hong Kong, China

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Group E: Qatar 1-2 Oman; Saudi Arabia 2-0 Hong Kong, China

Doha: Oman put on a spirited display to edge Qatar 2-1 in their AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifiers Group E tie on Monday.

Saudi Arabia stamped their authority in the other fixture with a 2-0 win over Hong Kong, China.

West Asia Wrap: Al Nassr, Al Sadd impress

Mon, 31 Aug, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Nassr, Al Sadd impress

Doha: Al Nassr showed they mean business in their title defence with two wins in the Saudi Pro League.

Al Sadd SC were equally impressive in Qatar while the action in UAE was sizzling as three teams lead the early race.

There was also action in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait and Oman so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic scene across West Asia.

Dominant Al Ahli delight Pusic

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Dominant Al Ahli delight Pusic

Jeddah: Marino Pusic was beaming with pride after Al Ahli Saudi FC produced a dominant performance to stay on course in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup on Wednesday.

Despite only winning 1-0, two-time AFC Champions League Elite™ winners Al Ahli overpowered Auckland FC in their African-Asian-Pacific Cup Playoff at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Guiagon joins Al Taawoun; Al Hamadi seals Wednesday loan

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Guiagon joins Al Taawoun; Al Hamadi seals Wednesday loan

Kuala Lumpur: Cote d’Ivoire International Parfait Guiagon has penned a deal with Saudi Pro League side Al Taawoun FC while Iraq’s Ali Al Hamadi has gone on loan to English outfit Sheffield Wednesday.

Punjab FC strengthened their defence with Patrick Bahanack, Hinata Kida completed a permanent switch to JEF United Ichihara Chiba and Jessika Nash returned to Australia with Melbourne City.

Al Shamat strike takes Al Ahli through

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Al Shamat strike takes Al Ahli through

Jeddah: Al Ahli FC Saudi FC advanced to the next stage of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026 with a well-deserved victory over ten-man Auckland FC in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup Playoff on Wednesday.

A well-taken goal from substitute Saleh Abu Al Shamat sealed the triumph for two-time AFC Champions League Elite™ winners Al Ahli in front of their own fans.

Up next for the Saudi Arabian side is a meeting with African champions Mamelodi Sundowns to settle the winners of the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup on September 19. They are now two games away from an FIFA Intercontinental Cup decider against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.

New pastures for Fujio, Al Obud

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

New pastures for Fujio, Al Obud

Kuala Lumpur: Shota Fujio completed a permanent move to Kashiwa Reysol from FC Machida Zelvia after two seasons with the club.

Over in Saudi Arabia, Abdulrahman Al Oboud was confirmed as Al Shabab FC’s new signing.

Europe Wrap: Dream La Liga start for Lee

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Europe Wrap: Dream La Liga start for Lee

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic’s Lee Kang-in netted on his debut for Atletico Madrid as the midfielder joined Saudi Arabia’s Saud Abdulhamid, Syria's Aiham Ousou and Japan’s Ayumu Yokoyama in scoring their first goals of the season.

Other Asian stars also made first appearances as the English Premier League, French Ligue 1, Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga kicked off their 2026/27 season, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

Machida snap up Ogawa; Larsson completes Al Ettifaq move

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Machida snap up Ogawa; Larsson completes Al Ettifaq move

Kuala Lumpur: Japan international Koki Ogawa has returned home to join FC Machida Zelvia while Jordan Larsson has made the switch to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ettifaq.

UAE side Al Wasl were also active with the signing of Croatian goalkeeper Dinko Horkas, while Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC bolstered their squads ahead of the new Australian season.

Preview: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v Auckland FC (NZL)

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Preview: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v Auckland FC (NZL)

Jeddah: Two-time Asian champions Al Ahli Saudi FC will look to make full use of home advantage when they face Auckland FC in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup Playoff of the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup on Wednesday.

Al Ahli secured their spot in the competition after defending their AFC Champions League Elite™ title with an extra-time 1-0 win against FC Machida Zelvia in April.