Know your team: Saudi Arabia

Sun, 25 Oct, 2026

Know your team: Saudi Arabia

Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia will be hoping home advantage can inspire a return to the summit of continental football when they host the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, with the three-time champions determined to end a title drought stretching back more than three decades.

One of the continent’s most successful nations, the Green Falcons made an immediate impact on their tournament debut at Singapore 1984, lifting the trophy before successfully defending their crown four years later in Qatar.

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#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.

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.