LATEST NEWS - UAE FA

West Asia Wrap: Winning starts for Al Nassr, Al Ain; Air Force held

Mon, 17 Aug, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Winning starts for Al Nassr, Al Ain; Air Force held

Dubai: Al Nassr Club began the defence of their Saudi Pro League title with victory against Al Fateh.

Reigning UAE champions Al Ain FC fought back from a 2-0 deficit to walk away winners against Baniyas, Air Force SC were held in Iraq while the action in Yemen saw leaders Al Sha´a Hadramaut also sharing points.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across West Asia.

Dalic appointed UAE head coach

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

Dalic appointed UAE head coach

Dubai: Zlatko Dalic was revealed as the new head coach of the United Arab Emirates Wednesday.

The 59-year-old takes over from Cosmin Olariou, who lasted 13 months in the role after replacing Paulo Bento.

Dalic comes with the pedigree of having led Croatia to the final of FIFA World Cup 2018 and the semi-finals four years later.

Wissing applauds Al Ittihad’s determination

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

Wissing applauds Al Ittihad’s determination

Abu Dhabi: Al Ittihad Club head coach Jens Wissing praised his players’ commitment after the Saudi Arabian side powered past Al Jazira FSC 4-1 to secure their place in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ League Stage on Tuesday.

Steven Bergwijn struck twice in the first half and Al Ittihad never looked back as second half goals from Houssem Aouar and Marwan Al Sahafi put the game beyond Al Jazira’s reach, with Simon Banza’s late effort proving only a consolation.

PS: Al Jazira FSC (UAE) 1-4 Al Ittihad Club (KSA)

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

PS: Al Jazira FSC (UAE) 1-4 Al Ittihad Club (KSA)

Abu Dhabi: Al Ittihad Club powered to a 4-1 win against Al Jazira FSC to secure their place in the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday.

Steven Bergwijn starred with a brace, with further goals from Houssem Aouar and Marwan Al Sahafi sealing the win for the Saudi Pro League side. Simon Banza netted a late consolation for UAE’s Al Jazira.

Townsend continues Thai adventure; NEOM unveil trio

Sun, 09 Aug, 2026

Townsend continues Thai adventure; NEOM unveil trio

Kuala Lumpur: Former England international Andros Townsend will continue his career in Thailand after joining PT Prachuap, while Saudi Arabia’s NEOM SC strengthened significantly with the additions of Georgios Masouras, Mohannad Abu Taha and Khalil Al Absi.

Shabab Al Ahli, Sharjah, Fagiano Okayama, PSIM Yogyakarta and Bhayangkara Presisi Lampung FC were also active as clubs across Asia continued fine-tuning their squads.

Kobe get Takahashi; Lacerda moves to Kawasaki

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

Kobe get Takahashi; Lacerda moves to Kawasaki

Kuala Lumpur: Vissel Kobe have secured midfielder Issei Takahashi from JEF United Chiba, while Kawasaki Frontale strengthened their forward line with the signing of Brazilian striker Derik Lacerda.

JEF United, K League clubs Busan IPark and Hwaseong FC and Emirati side Kalba Football Club were also active in the transfer market, completing additions ahead of their respective domestic campaigns.

AFC Grassroots Day 2026 unites Asia’s football communities – Part 3

Wed, 22 Jul, 2026

AFC Grassroots Day 2026 unites Asia’s football communities – Part 3

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 third and final part of a series (Part 1 can be found here and Part 2 is 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.

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.

#AFCU17 - Group C: Vietnam 3-2 UAE

Thu, 14 May, 2026

#AFCU17 - Group C: Vietnam 3-2 UAE

Jeddah: Vietnam came from behind to edge the United Arab Emirates 3-2 in a thrilling AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group C tie on Wednesday to seal a spot in the quarter-finals.

The victory earned Vietnam top spot in Group C on six points, one better than Korea Republic, with both teams also securing their berths at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.

Vietnam will play Australia in the quarter-finals with Korea Republic to face defending champions Uzbekistan.

#AFCU17 - Preview - Group C: MD3

Mon, 11 May, 2026

#AFCU17 - Preview - Group C: MD3

Jeddah: The race for the top two spots remains up for grabs in the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ final Group C fixtures on Wednesday.

Korea Republic lead the standings with four points, with Vietnam and Yemen sit a point behind, while United Arab Emirates, who have a point, are still mathematically in contention.

#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.