#AsianCup - Facts & Figures

Fri, 23 Oct, 2026

#AsianCup - Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: Anticipation continues to build for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, with the action set to kick off in slightly over two months.

The upcoming edition is set to be another fiesta of Asian football and the-AFC.com takes a trip down memory lane to highlight some fascinating facts and figures.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3199406

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3199414

Player to watch: Jay Idzes (INA)

Fri, 23 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Jay Idzes (INA)

Kuala Lumpur: A commanding presence at the heart of Indonesia's defence, skipper Jay Idzes has emerged as a key figure in the Garuda's transformation into a more competitive force in Asian football.

The 26-year-old centre-back polished his skills in Italy, and his experience at the highest level of the European game will be an important asset as the Southeast Asian side look to make their mark at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Player to watch: Chanathip Songkrasin (THA)

Sun, 18 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Chanathip Songkrasin (THA)

Kuala Lumpur: Chanathip Songkrasin’s status as one of Thailand’s footballing legends has long been established after a career for club and country that is unmatched in the history of Southeast Asian football.

The 33-year-old will travel for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ seeking to notch up another mark in an illustrious career that has seen the playmaker set new milestones for players from his home region.

Player to watch: Akram Afif (QAT)

Wed, 21 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Akram Afif (QAT)

Kuala Lumpur: Few players have had a greater influence on Qatar's rise in Asian football than attacking midfielder Akram Afif, who was instrumental in the Maroons' historic back-to-back AFC Asian Cup™ triumphs.

As the West Asian side look towards defending their title at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, the two-time AFC Player of the Year's experience, creativity and ability to shine on decisive occasions will once again place him in the spotlight.

Player to watch: Takefusa Kubo (JPN)

Sun, 18 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Takefusa Kubo (JPN)

Kuala Lumpur: Takefusa Kubo has been hailed as the future of Japanese football since turning up at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy as a 10-year-old, his every move and development watched by an expectant fan base hoping to embrace the country’s next superstar.

Now 25, the career of the Kawasaki-born playmaker has not panned out quite how some expected but the Real Sociedad man has still managed to establish himself as a key player in Hajime Moriyasu’s squad.

Player to watch: Nasser Al Gahwashi (YEM)

Sun, 18 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nasser Al Gahwashi (YEM)

Kuala Lumpur: Nasser Al Gahwashi has already delivered one of the defining moments in Yemen's journey to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and the influential midfielder will be looking to inspire the West Asian side to greater heights when they return to the continental stage.

A creative spark in midfield with an eye for goal, Al Gahwashi has established himself as one of Yemen's most important players, combining his technical ability with a knack for producing decisive contributions.