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

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Preview: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v Auckland FC (NZL)

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Preview: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v Auckland FC (NZL)

Jeddah: Two-time Asian champions Al Ahli Saudi FC will look to make full use of home advantage when they face Auckland FC in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup Playoff of the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup on Wednesday.

Al Ahli secured their spot in the competition after defending their AFC Champions League Elite™ title with an extra-time 1-0 win against FC Machida Zelvia in April.

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.

Machida snap up Ogawa; Larsson completes Al Ettifaq move

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Machida snap up Ogawa; Larsson completes Al Ettifaq move

Kuala Lumpur: Japan international Koki Ogawa has returned home to join FC Machida Zelvia while Jordan Larsson has made the switch to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ettifaq.

UAE side Al Wasl were also active with the signing of Croatian goalkeeper Dinko Horkas, while Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC bolstered their squads ahead of the new Australian season.

#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.

Group Stage cast decided

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Group Stage cast decided

Kuala Lumpur: The cast for the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27™ Group Stage was finalised on Sunday, with six teams booking their tickets.

They join defending champions Naegohyang Women’s FC of DPR Korea, Melbourne City FC (AUS), Hwacheon KSPO WFC (KOR), INAC Kobe Leonessa (JPN), Beijing Jingtan Football Club (CHN) and Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (VIE), with the Group Stage Draw scheduled for September 3.