Ogawa strike helps Japan edge Iceland

Sun, 31 May, 2026

Ogawa strike helps Japan edge Iceland

Tokyo: Japan scored a late goal through substitute Koki Ogawa to beat Iceland 1-0 in Tokyo on Sunday in their final friendly before the FIFA World Cup 26.

Ogawa pounced in the 87th minute to send Japan to the United States, Canada and Mexico on a high in front of over 60,000 fans at the National Stadium.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176293

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176295

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176297

Son on the double as Korea Republic cruise past Trinidad and Tobago

Sun, 31 May, 2026

Son on the double as Korea Republic cruise past Trinidad and Tobago

Los Angeles: Son Heung-min ended his goal drought with a double as Korea Republic warmed up for the FIFA World Cup 26 by defeating Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 in a friendly on Saturday.

The 33-year-old has faced growing questions about his faltering form after scoring only twice for his club Los Angeles FC this season.

Gritty Socceroos aim to spoil United States' party

Sun, 31 May, 2026

Gritty Socceroos aim to spoil United States' party

Pasadena: Efforts to boost football in the United States rest heavily on the national team's success at the FIFA World Cup 26 - but their Group D opponents Australia have every intention of crashing the co-hosts' party.

"It's our role to spoil one part of it," Socceroos midfielder Aiden O'Neill said on Saturday.

Know your team: Korea Republic

Fri, 29 May, 2026

Know your team: Korea Republic

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic will head to the FIFA World Cup 2026 determined to enjoy an extended run at the global showpiece.

The East Asian side advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time in 12 years at Qatar 2022 but will feel they have the talent and quality to do much better in North America.

Know your team: Jordan

Fri, 29 May, 2026

Know your team: Jordan

Kuala Lumpur: Jordan play at their first World Cup determined to show they belong at football's top table and with Lionel Messi's Argentina presenting the most daunting of prospects.

Jamal Sellami's side face Austria in a tough Group J on their World Cup debut on June 16, followed by Algeria and then reigning champions Argentina in their final pool game in Dallas.

Asian Moments: 2006

Fri, 29 May, 2026

Asian Moments: 2006

Kuala Lumpur: With the FIFA World Cup 2026 drawing ever closer, the-AFC.com continues its series of looking back at how Asian teams have performed at the global showpiece over the years.

Following the emphatic success of Korea Republic and Japan, the co-hosts of 2002, Asian football was on the rise, and returned four years later with Islamic Republic of Iran replacing China PR as part of the quartet representing the AFC at Germany 2006.