National Competitions - Latest News

Cuper takes over as Syria head coach

Fri, 03 Feb, 2023

Cuper takes over as Syria head coach

Damascus: Veteran Argentine coach Hector Cuper has been appointed head coach of Syria, the national football federation announced on Thursday.

"Argentina's Hector Cuper, new coach of Syria. The new coach of the Syrian national team and his assistant staff will arrive in Syria in the coming days," the Syrian Football Association posted on Facebook, without specifying the duration of his contract.

SAFF ready to stage a spectacular AFC Asian Cup 2027™

Thu, 02 Feb, 2023

SAFF ready to stage a spectacular AFC Asian Cup 2027™

Manama: The 33rd AFC Congress confirmed the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) as the Host Association of the AFC Asian Cup 2027™ in the capital city of Bahrain yesterday.

Having being crowned champions of Asia on three different occasions (1984, 1988, 1996), Saudi Arabia are also among the most successful teams to have ever participated in the flagship contest. 

Gustavsson names Australia Cup of Nations squad

Thu, 02 Feb, 2023

Gustavsson names Australia Cup of Nations squad

Sydney: A 25-player Australia squad has been named by head coach Tony Gustavsson to contest the 2023 Cup of Nations to be hosted across New South Wales later this month.  

The six-match tournament - which will also feature Spain, Jamaica and Czech Republic - will kick-off in Gosford on February 16 with Matchday 2 in Sydney three days later before the Cup of Nations concludes on February 22 in Newcastle.  

AFC Executive Committee takes important decisions in first meeting

Wed, 01 Feb, 2023

AFC Executive Committee takes important decisions in first meeting

Manama: The preparations for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ gathered momentum today with the appointment of AFC Executive Committee and FIFA Council member Mariano Araneta, Jr. of the Philippines as the Chairperson of the Organising Committee for AFC Asian Cup by the newly elected AFC Executive Committee in its first meeting chaired by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, in Manama, Bahrain.

The Organising Committee for AFC Asian Cup advises and assists the AFC Executive Committee on matters relating to the AFC Asian Cup™ and is responsible for organising the flagship national team competition of Asia. The remaining members of the Committee will be confirmed in due course.
 
Meanwhile, members of the Committee also approved the AFC President’s proposal to appoint Mr. Zaw Zaw from Myanmar as the Senior Vice President of the AFC Executive Committee.

Saudi Arabia confirmed as hosts of the AFC Asian Cup 2027™

Wed, 01 Feb, 2023

Saudi Arabia confirmed as hosts of the AFC Asian Cup 2027™

Manama: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Associations have today confirmed the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) as the host association for the AFC Asian Cup 2027™ at the 33rd AFC Congress held in Manama, Bahrain.

The landmark decision marks the first time Asia’s crown jewel will be staged in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whose national side rank as amongst the best performers in the tournament’s history, having clinched the coveted Continental crown on three occasions – in 1984, 1988 and 1996.

IR Iran edge Uzbekistan to retain title

Tue, 31 Jan, 2023

IR Iran edge Uzbekistan to retain title

Tashkent: Islamic Republic of Iran emerged winners of the CAFA Women’s Futsal Championship for the second consecutive year after edging Uzbekistan 5-4 on Monday. 

The win over Uzbekistan was Iran’s third of the tournament, having defeated Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan earlier in the round-robin competition.
 
Tajikistan finished third on the standings after beating Kyrgyz Republic 4-2.

Matildas' opener moved to Stadium Australia

Tue, 31 Jan, 2023

Matildas' opener moved to Stadium Australia

Sydney: The first match to take place in Australia of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will be an even bigger celebration, with co-host country Australia now facing the Republic of Ireland at the tournament’s largest venue, Stadium Australia, in Sydney.

Stadium Australia was due to host knockout matches only, but given the significant interest in tickets, FIFA has taken the decision to move Australia’s first match to Sydney’s largest Stadium.  
 
The kick-off time and date of the Australia v Republic of Ireland match will still be on Thursday, 20 July at 20:00 (AEST). Earlier on that day, the opening ceremony and opening match between Aotearoa New Zealand and Norway will take place at Eden Park in Auckland, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 (NZST).  

Arnold to remain as Australia head coach

Mon, 30 Jan, 2023

Arnold to remain as Australia head coach

Sydney: Graham Arnold will continue as Australia head coach after his contract with Football Australia was extended for another four years following the Socceroos’ success at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Arnold led the Australians into the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup for only the second time in the country’s history at last year’s Finals, where the Socceroos defeated Tunisia and Denmark in the group phase of the competition.

Korea Republic's Bell aiming for deep run at global showpiece

Fri, 27 Jan, 2023

Korea Republic's Bell aiming for deep run at global showpiece

Seoul: Head coach Colin Bell will leave no stone unturned in his bid to ensure Korea Republic enjoy an extended run in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.

The East Asian side will be appearing in their third consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup and fourth overall with their Round of 16 appearance in the 2015 edition their best return to date and Bell is determined to change that. 

IR Iran primed to defend title

Fri, 27 Jan, 2023

IR Iran primed to defend title

Tashkent: Defending champions Islamic Republic of Iran will start as favourites when the CAFA Women's Futsal Championship 2023 kicks off on Friday.

Having won last year's inagural edition, standing in Iran's way for back-to-back titles will be hosts Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan.

Thailand 2023: Know Your Groups C & D

Sun, 22 Jan, 2023

Thailand 2023: Know Your Groups C & D

Pattaya: As the countdown to the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 continues, the-AFC.com takes a close look at the participating teams in Groups C and D. 

Defending champions Japan lead the Group C cast with Lebanon, China PR and Indonesia for company, while 2015 winners Oman are in Group D with Palestine, Kuwait and Kyrgyz Republic. 

Thailand 2023: Know Your Groups A & B

Fri, 20 Jan, 2023

Thailand 2023: Know Your Groups A & B

Pattaya: The AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ returns with Thailand hosting the 2023 edition which will see 16 teams vying for continental glory. 

Five previous champions are in the mix with Japan aiming to defend the 2019 title won on the beaches of Phuket.
 
An added incentive for the teams is that the top three sides will join hosts United Arab Emirates at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2023 so join the-AFC.com as we take a sneak peek at what lies ahead in the March 16-26 tournament in Pattaya for Groups A and B.