Europe Wrap: Asia’s best off to roaring start

Tue, 12 Aug, 2025

Europe Wrap: Asia’s best off to roaring start

Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s internationals have begun to impact the Scottish Premiership, Eredivisie and Belgian Pro League as they helped their respective sides make winning starts to the season. 

There were also debuts for up-and-coming players from Australia, Indonesia, Japan and Uzbekistan, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to as the 2025/26 action takes off in Europe.

#ACLElite - Preview: Four eye League Stage berths

Tue, 12 Aug, 2025

#ACLElite - Preview: Four eye League Stage berths

Kuala Lumpur: The race to be crowned AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 winners kicks off with the Preliminary Stage on Tuesday.

Seeking to grab the remaining two spots in the League Stage will be China PR's Chengdu Rongchen FC, Bangkok United of Thailand, Qatar's Al Duhail SC and Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan FC of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
 
The two winning teams will join 22 other in Friday's League Stage Draw in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia while the losing sides will qualify for the AFC Champions League Two™ 2025/26.

#ChallengeLeague - Preview: Nine tickets up for grabs

Mon, 11 Aug, 2025

#ChallengeLeague - Preview: Nine tickets up for grabs

Kuala Lumpur: The journey into the AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 Group Stage begins for 18 teams on Tuesday.

The nine winning teams from the Preliminary Stage will progress - joining eight sides that were granted direct entry, as well as the three eliminated outfits from the AFC Champions League Two™ Preliminary Stage, to form a 20-team line-up for the third-tier of Asian football's men’s club competition.

Butler: Expect more from Bangladesh

Mon, 11 Aug, 2025

Butler: Expect more from Bangladesh

Vientiane: Head coach Peter Butler is proving himself to be a man with a golden touch for Bangladesh football.

Having steered the senior side to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup ™ for the first time by qualifying for Australia 2026, the Englishman has done the same with the Under-20 side who booked a debut appearance at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Thailand 2026 on Sunday.

Shubhangi: Teamwork took India to Finals

Mon, 11 Aug, 2025

Shubhangi: Teamwork took India to Finals

Yangon: Shubhangi Singh paid credit to her teammates after India ended a 20-year wait by qualifying for the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup™ Thailand 2026 on Sunday.

Midfielder Pooja’s 27th minute strike earned India a 1-0 win over hosts Myanmar, confirming the South Asian team as the Group D winners, with Shubhangi playing the skipper’s role to perfection for Joakim Alexandersson’s side.  

Nunez joins Al Hilal; Martinez signs for Al Nassr

Sun, 10 Aug, 2025

Nunez joins Al Hilal; Martinez signs for Al Nassr

Kuala Lumpur: Darwin Nunez's transfer to Al Hilal SFC from English champions Liverpool has been finalised while centre-back Inigo Martinez has moved from Barcelona to Al Nassr Club.

Japan international winger Junya Ito has returned to Belgian outfit KRC Genk while Indonesia captain Jay Idzes has signed for Italy’s newly promoted Serie A side US Sassuolo.