ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Nam Dinh champs again; Jeonbuk widen lead

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Nam Dinh champs again; Jeonbuk widen lead

Kuala Lumpur: Nam Dinh FC defended their V.League 1 title with a match to spare while Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC surged further ahead in the K League 1.

In Japan, leaders Kashima Antlers dropped points, the top suffered defeat in China PR while MUST CPK continue to dictate terms in Macau.

Join the-AFC.com as we recap the latest round of domestic action across ASEAN and East Asia following the international break.

Asian Stars to watch

Sun, 15 Jun, 2025

Asian Stars to watch

Kuala Lumpur: With the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup 2025 having kicked off in the United States, all eyes are turning to Asia’s finest as they aim to leave their mark on the global stage. 

The-AFC.com spotlights players to watch from the four Asian sides - UAE’s Al Ain FC, Al Hilal  SFC of Saudi Arabia, Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds and Ulsan HD of Korea Republic, plus special mentions.

Botafogo edge Sounders to claim winning start

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

Botafogo edge Sounders to claim winning start

Seattle: Botafogo began their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign with a 2-1 victory against Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday at Lumen Field, the Major League Soccer side's home stadium.

The Brazilian side displayed attacking quality in the first half but had to rely on stout defence after the interval to hold off the Sounders.

First-half goals from Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus left the Brazilians level with Paris Saint-Germain, but in second place in Group B due to an inferior goal difference.

Palmeiras, Porto share spoils

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

Palmeiras, Porto share spoils

New York: SE Palmeiras and FC Porto played out a pulsating 0-0 draw in the third game of Matchday Two at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Palmeiras and Porto traded blows but failed to score in front of a crowd packed with Brazilian supporters, leaving all four Group A sides on one point.

PSG overwhelm 10-man Atletico

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

PSG overwhelm 10-man Atletico

California: Newly crowned European Champions Paris Saint-Germain launched their bid for FIFA Club World Cup glory with a convincing 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

In searing heat at the Pasadena Rose Bowl east of Los Angeles, PSG proved too hot to handle for their Spanish opponents in an impressive opening Group B win.

Goals from Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-In sealed the three points for PSG, who delighted a crowd of 80,619 with their adventurous attacking play in temperatures that reached 31 degrees Celsius shortly after kick-off at midday local time.

Bayern cruise past Auckland City

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

Bayern cruise past Auckland City

Cincinnati: Bayern Munich were at their best against Auckland City FC at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 on Sunday, beating the team from New Zealand 10-0 in their opening as Jamal Musiala came off the bench to score a second-half hat-trick.

Kingsley Coman, Michael Olise and Thomas Mueller all netted twice, while Sacha Boey was also on target for the German champions in the game in Group C, which also features Argentina's Boca Juniors and Benfica of Portugal.

Harry Kane started but didn't find the target before being replaced just after the hour mark by Musiala, who netted his three goals in the space of 18 minutes towards the end.

Inter Miami, Al Ahly settle for stalemate

Sun, 15 Jun, 2025

Inter Miami, Al Ahly settle for stalemate

Miami: Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Egyptian side Al Ahly played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday as the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 got off to a smooth start in front of 60,927 fans in Florida.

Messi was denied a storybook stoppage-time winner when he saw his curling shot from 20 yards out tipped on to the bar by Mohamed El Shenawy as Miami piled on the pressure in the final minutes of the game.

Al Ahly, who were cheered on by over 10,000 of their supporters, were left to rue a first-half penalty from Egypt international Trezeguet which was saved by Miami's Argentine keeper Oscar Ustari.

But the Egyptians also had El Shenawy to thank for another fine save in the dying seconds to keep out a header from Maxi Falcon as Miami pushed for three points in the Group A clash.

#AsianQualifiers - Vote for your VISA Best Goal of MD9 & 10

Sat, 14 Jun, 2025

#AsianQualifiers - Vote for your VISA Best Goal of MD9 & 10

Kuala Lumpur: The third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 concluded on Tuesday, June 10 with thrilling action across Asia. 

Islamic Republic of Iran, Uzbekistan, Korea Republic, Jordan, Japan and Australia have all now secured automatic qualification to next year’s FIFA World Cup while the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia kept their dreams alive by progressing to the fourth round. 
 
Following the decisive final couple of matchdays, the-AFC.com picks the best goals scored from Matchdays Nine and Ten so and asks you, the fans of Asian football, to vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article. 

Hosts of AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs confirmed

Thu, 12 Jun, 2025

Hosts of AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed the Qatar Football Association and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation as the Host Member Associations for the upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs.

Six teams, the third and fourth-placed sides from the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26, namely Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, will be divided into two groups of three teams to do battle in a centralised format from October 8 to 14, 2025, with the group winners securing the two remaining automatic berths at the FIFA World Cup 2026.