Al Shamat strike takes Al Ahli through

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Al Shamat strike takes Al Ahli through

Jeddah: Al Ahli FC Saudi FC advanced to the next stage of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026 with a well-deserved victory over ten-man Auckland FC in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup Playoff on Wednesday.

A well-taken goal from substitute Saleh Abu Al Shamat sealed the triumph for two-time AFC Champions League Elite™ winners Al Ahli in front of their own fans.

Up next for the Saudi Arabian side is a meeting with African champions Mamelodi Sundowns to settle the winners of the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup on September 19. They are now two games away from an FIFA Intercontinental Cup decider against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Arnold promises a strong Iraq

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

Arnold promises a strong Iraq

Baghdad: Graham Arnold has vowed that Iraq will work to be a force in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ after the Australian signed a contract extension as head coach on Monday.

The new contract will see the tactician in charge of Iraq for September's Gulf Cup and the continental showpiece in January, with Arnold signing a six-month extension although the Iraq Football Association had offered a four-year deal

Vietnam hold off Thailand to clinch title

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

Vietnam hold off Thailand to clinch title

Hanoi: Vietnam retained their ASEAN Championship title on Wednesday as Kim Sang-sik’s side twice battled back to draw 2-2 with Thailand in Hanoi to complete a 4-2 aggregate win over the seven-times champions.

Yotsakon Burapha struck in the 12th minute to pull Thailand back into the tie after losing 2-0 in the first leg in Bangkok but an own goal by Chatchai Bootprom saw Vietnam level in the 52nd minute, three minutes after Thailand’s Kakana Khamyol had fired a penalty over the bar.

 

Wanchai Jarunongkran gave Thailand late hope when he netted in the 84th minute, only to put the ball in his own net with virtually the last kick of the game to hand Vietnam a draw that completed their title defence.

New pastures for Fujio, Al Obud

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

New pastures for Fujio, Al Obud

Kuala Lumpur: Shota Fujio completed a permanent move to Kashiwa Reysol from FC Machida Zelvia after two seasons with the club.

Over in Saudi Arabia, Abdulrahman Al Oboud was confirmed as Al Shabab FC’s new signing.

Europe Wrap: Dream La Liga start for Lee

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Europe Wrap: Dream La Liga start for Lee

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic’s Lee Kang-in netted on his debut for Atletico Madrid as the midfielder joined Saudi Arabia’s Saud Abdulhamid, Syria's Aiham Ousou and Japan’s Ayumu Yokoyama in scoring their first goals of the season.

Other Asian stars also made first appearances as the English Premier League, French Ligue 1, Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga kicked off their 2026/27 season, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

#AFCU20 China 2027 Qualifiers to kick off with new format

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

#AFCU20 China 2027 Qualifiers to kick off with new format

Kuala Lumpur: The journey towards the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ begins on August 31 (Monday), 2026 with the first round of matches in the centralised Qualifiers.

Taking place for a 23rd time since being introduced in 1980, this iteration of the qualification pathway offers 15 berths at next year’s Finals and sees the maiden implementation of a two-tiered format.