Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Aymen Hussein (IRQ)

Kuala Lumpur: No one will relish the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ more than Aymen Hussein with the competition being of huge significance for the striker.

Hussein’s international career with Iraq can be looked at in three separate blocks with a slow start to his first 30 matches for his country before showing upward trajectory in his next two blocks of games.

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Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Kuala Lumpur: Goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov will look to duplicate his 2023 heroics in Qatar when Tajikistan return to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™. 

A standout during the Central Asia side’s historic debut in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, Yatimov was instrumental in their run to the knockout stage, where he made the only save in a decisive 5-3 penalty shootout against the United Arab Emirates’ Caio Canedo to seal a memorable Round of 16 victory.

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nestory Irankunda (AUS)

Kuala Lumpur: Since introducing himself to the Australian public in spectacular fashion more than four years ago, Nestory Irankunda has become the next great hope in a Socceroos side that is beginning to draw favourable comparisons to the country’s golden generation.

Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to Burundian parents fleeing civil war in their homeland, Irankunda moved to Australia when he was three months old and started his journey towards the summit of the game at Adelaide United’s academy.

Player to watch: Zhang Yuning (CHN)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Zhang Yuning (CHN)

Kuala Lumpur: Striker Zhang Yuning will be pivotal to China PR’s hopes of a successful AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ as the nation attempts to banish the memories of a disappointing campaign in Qatar 2023.

The 29-year-old has been a mainstay of the side throughout the last decade, during which time he spent a prolonged period in Europe before returning to the Chinese Super League to excel for Beijing FC.

Player to watch: Gulzhigit Alykulov (KGZ)

Fri, 09 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Gulzhigit Alykulov (KGZ)

Kuala Lumpur: An ever-present member of the Kyrgyz Republic squad throughout the Qualifiers, Gulzhigit Alykulov is primed to make a strong impression at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Featuring in five of the six matches in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2, Alykulov scored the vital equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Malaysia to enable Kyrgyz Republic to pip the Southeast Asian side to second place behind Oman, thus booking their ticket to the Finals.

Player to watch: Omar Khrbin (SYR)

Thu, 08 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Omar Khrbin (SYR)

Kuala Lumpur: Proven striker Omar Khrbin will be central to Syria’s hopes when the Qasioun Eagles compete for continental glory at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The 2017 AFC Player of the Year – the first Syria footballer to win the award - combines fluid movement, composure and an eye for goal and remains one of his country’s most influential attacking players.