Player to watch: Ilhan Fandi (Singapore)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Ilhan Fandi (Singapore)

Kuala Lumpur: Football runs in Ilhan Fandi’s blood but the Singapore forward is determined to carve out his own legacy as the Lions prepare to make their long-awaited return to the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time since 1984. 

The son of Singapore football legend Fandi Ahmad, Ilhan has steadily emerged as one of the nation’s brightest attacking talents, combining his physical presence with pace, intelligent movement and an eye for goal.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3197505

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3197506

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.

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.

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Manama: Felix Sanchez has taken charge of Bahrain, with the Spaniard set to lead the West Asian nation at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Sanchez replaces Dragan Talajic, who parted ways with Bahrain following the recent Gulf Cup.

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.