LATEST NEWS - SAFF

#AFCU17 - Group A: Saudi Arabia 4-0 Myanmar

Wed, 06 May, 2026

#AFCU17 - Group A: Saudi Arabia 4-0 Myanmar

Jeddah: A dominant Saudi Arabia breezed 4-0 past Myanmar in their opening AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group A match at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium on Tuesday.

A first-half brace from Ali Makki and two penalties after the break gave the two-time winners a confidence booster before they face 1998 champions Thailand on Sunday while Myanmar will look to make amends against Tajikistan on the same day. 

#AFCU17 - Preview - Group A: MD1

Mon, 04 May, 2026

#AFCU17 - Preview - Group A: MD1

Jeddah: The AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026™ kicks off on Tuesday with the four Group A teams looking to make an early statement.

Only the top two from each group will advance to the knockout stage, with the quarter-finalists earning tickets to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026. 

West Asia Wrap: Al Qadsiah end Al Nassr's winning run; Al Sadd celebrate in style

Mon, 04 May, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Qadsiah end Al Nassr's winning run; Al Sadd celebrate in style

Doha: Al Qadsiah turned on the power to defeat Al Nassr Club 3-1 on Sunday as the Saudi Pro League title race took an unexpected turn.

Al Sadd SC brought the Qatar Stars League season to a close with a thrilling win while Shabab Al Ahli lost ground in the UAE Pro League race.

Al Seeb Club moved within three points of the title in Oman while there was also action in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan and Syria so join the-AFC.com in our weekly review of the domestic scene across West Asia.

#AFCU17 - Know your teams: Group A

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

#AFCU17 - Know your teams: Group A

Jeddah: The AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ will see 16 teams vying for continental glory.

It promises to be another exciting tournament with berths to the FIFA U17 World Cup Qatar 2026 also at stake.

Ahead of the action kicking off on May 5, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on the teams - starting with the Group A cast.

Europe Wrap: Asia’s best in sizzling form

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

Europe Wrap: Asia’s best in sizzling form

Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s Daizen Maeda, Ritsu Doan and Ayase Ueda as well as Korea Republic’s Lee Kang-in and Saudi Arabia’s Saud Abdulhamid were among the Asian stars playing pivotal roles in helping their teams obtain crucial results in major European leagues.

There were also goals and assists from other continental stalwarts, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe this past week.

West Asia Wrap: Al Ain firmly in charge; Air Force SC held

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Ain firmly in charge; Air Force SC held

Doha: Al Ain FC continued their march towards the UAE Pro League title with a 2-0 win over Al Bataeh as they surged further clear at the top.

Air Force Club were held to a surprise draw in Iraq while Al Seeb Club moved closer to the title in Oman. There were also matches in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman and Syria so join the-AFC.com in our look back at the past week's domestic action across West Asia. 

Al Brikan delighted with contribution

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Al Brikan delighted with contribution

Jeddah: When Al Ahli Saudi FC needed a hero in the final of the AFC Champions League Finals Jeddah 2026™ on Saturday, Feras Al Brikan stepped up to deliver.

With Al Ahli struggling to find a way past FC Machida Zelvia in a keenly-fought contest at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al Brikan was summoned into the game to replace Enzo Millot in the 62nd minute.

Reduced to 10 men just six minutes later when Zakaria Hawsawi was sent off, Al Ahli kept their belief with Al Brikan delivering by smashing home Franck Kessie’s cutback in extra time to send the fans into delirium.

Jaissle: Al Ahli Saudi's belief, quality delivered historic title

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Jaissle: Al Ahli Saudi's belief, quality delivered historic title

Jeddah: Matthias Jaissle expressed pride after guiding Al Ahli Saudi FC to back-to-back continental titles following their 1-0 win against FC Machida Zelvia in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah™ on Saturday.

Al Ahli joined cross-town rivals Al Ittihad Club as the only sides to have won the trophy in successive seasons, with Jaissle admitting this year’s triumph had been filled with much tougher challenges.

Al Ahli’s Kessie named Most Valuable Player

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Al Ahli’s Kessie named Most Valuable Player

Jeddah: Franck Kessie was named the Most Valuable Player of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ after helping Al Ahli Saudi FC defend their title with a 1-0 extra time win against FC Machida Zelvia in the final on Saturday.

The Ivory Coast international carried his impressive form into the final, commanding the midfield with authority and had Al Ahli in total control throughout the match.

Al Ahli Saudi savour glory again

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Al Ahli Saudi savour glory again

Jeddah: Substitute Feras Al Brikan struck six minutes into extra time to earn 10-man Al Ahli Saudi FC a 1-0 win over FC Machida Zelvia on Saturday as the Saudi Pro League side retained their title at the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™.

Al Brikan hit the winner from close range after Matthias Jaissle’s side had seen Zakaria Hawsawi sent off in the 68th minute and the title holders were forced to battle on against the Japanese side.

Victory means Al Ahli are the first team to retain the title since cross-Jeddah rivals Al Ittihad Club won the second of their two AFC Champions League crowns in 2005 by defeating Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates.

Donis takes charge of Saudi Arabia

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Donis takes charge of Saudi Arabia

Jeddah: Georgios Donis has been appointed as the new head coach of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has announced.

The Greek takes over from Frenchman Herve Renard, with Saudi Arabia to open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Uruguay on June 15.

Preview - Final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

Preview - Final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Jeddah: Defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC and FC Machida Zelvia will go into Saturday’s decider in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ with head coaches Matthias Jaissle and Go Kuroda revealing no major injury concerns ahead of their critical clash.

The meeting at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium is expected to be a sell-out as Al Ahli Saudi attempt to retain the title they won at the same venue last year while Machida seek to complete a fairy tale run to lift the trophy in their first appearance in the competition.