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.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3198285

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3198289

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3198291

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.

Player to watch: Nguyen Quang Hai (VIE)

Sat, 17 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Nguyen Quang Hai (VIE)

Kuala Lumpur: Nguyen Quang Hai exploded onto the scene at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ and has firmly established himself as one of the foremost players to come out of Vietnam but not without its bumps and hurdles along the way.

At 20 years old, he had already scored his first senior international goal in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in 2017 against Cambodia but it was the arrival of Park Hang-seo as head coach for both the Under-23s and full senior set-up that turned Quang Hai into a household name.

Player to watch: Fabio Lima (UAE)

Fri, 16 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Fabio Lima (UAE)

Kuala Lumpur: Fabio Lima will aim to make use of an impressive scoring record and a wealth of domestic and international experience when the midfielder turns out for the United Arab Emirates at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The 33-year-old, who has established himself as one of the UAE Pro League's most prolific players, will undoubtedly play a key role in The Whites’ campaign as they seek to improve on their Round of 16 showing at Qatar 2023.

Player to watch: Son Heung-min (KOR)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Son Heung-min (KOR)

Kuala Lumpur: Since scoring his first goal on the international stage for Korea Republic against India at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™, Son Heung-min has established himself as one of Asian football’s greats.

The 34-year-old will travel to Saudi Arabia to make a fifth and likely final attempt to lead his nation to their first AFC Asian Cup title since 1960 after going close to breaking that drought in 2015.

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.