Nepal book spot in style; India turn on the power

Mon, 01 Jun, 2026

Nepal book spot in style; India turn on the power

Goa: Nepal topped Group A of the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 with a 2-0 win against Sri Lanka on Sunday, with the victory also confirming Bhutan's progression to the knockout stage.

India defeated defending champions Bangladesh 3-0 to take the Group B pole, with both sides advancing.

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.

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.

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.

Asian Moments: 2002

Fri, 29 May, 2026

Asian Moments: 2002

Kuala Lumpur: 2002 was a special year in the history of Asian football as, for the first time since the first ball was kicked at the 1930 edition in Uruguay, the FIFA World Cup finally came to Asia.

The 17th edition of the global showpiece was also the first to be co-hosted as Japan and Korea Republic joined forces to deliver a festival of football in which they both excelled, with the Taeguk Warriors producing a remarkable run to the semi-finals. 

There was also a first and, to date, only appearance from China PR, while Saudi Arabia returned for a third successive time.