Mon, 26 Oct, 2026

Match schedule finalised for #AsianCup2027

Kuala Lumpur: The kick-off times and venues for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ have been confirmed as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Local Organising Committee (LOC) today revealed the finalised match schedule.

Staged in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the very first time, the quest for ultimate glory at the 19th edition of Asia’s crown jewel ignites on January 7 (Thursday) in the capital city of Riyadh at the 72,000-seater King Fahd Sports City Stadium when Saudi Arabia take on Palestine at 8pm in what promises to be a thrilling opening match.

Know your team: Kuwait

Sun, 25 Oct, 2026

Know your team: Kuwait

Kuala Lumpur: Kuwait will feel they are back where they belong as the former champions eye a memorable outing at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The heydays of 1980 where Kuwait were crowned champions after a 3-0 win against Korea Republic seem like a distant past but there’s hope within the camp that this qualification is the first step towards rediscovering their place at the top tier of Asian football.

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.

#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 (IDN)

Mon, 26 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Jay Idzes (IDN)

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.

AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Competition Regulations

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.

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.

Photos

Match schedule finalised for #AsianCup2027

Mon, 26 Oct, 2026

Match schedule finalised for #AsianCup2027

Kuala Lumpur: The kick-off times and venues for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ have been confirmed as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Local Organising Committee (LOC) today revealed the finalised match schedule.

Staged in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the very first time, the quest for ultimate glory at the 19th edition of Asia’s crown jewel ignites on January 7 (Thursday) in the capital city of Riyadh at the 72,000-seater King Fahd Sports City Stadium when Saudi Arabia take on Palestine at 8pm in what promises to be a thrilling opening match.

Know your team: Kuwait

Sun, 25 Oct, 2026

Know your team: Kuwait

Kuala Lumpur: Kuwait will feel they are back where they belong as the former champions eye a memorable outing at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The heydays of 1980 where Kuwait were crowned champions after a 3-0 win against Korea Republic seem like a distant past but there’s hope within the camp that this qualification is the first step towards rediscovering their place at the top tier of Asian football.

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.

#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 (IDN)

Mon, 26 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Jay Idzes (IDN)

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.

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.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3029573.html

afc-newsletter

Videos

Match schedule finalised for #AsianCup2027

Mon, 26 Oct, 2026

Match schedule finalised for #AsianCup2027

Kuala Lumpur: The kick-off times and venues for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ have been confirmed as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Local Organising Committee (LOC) today revealed the finalised match schedule.

Staged in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the very first time, the quest for ultimate glory at the 19th edition of Asia’s crown jewel ignites on January 7 (Thursday) in the capital city of Riyadh at the 72,000-seater King Fahd Sports City Stadium when Saudi Arabia take on Palestine at 8pm in what promises to be a thrilling opening match.

Know your team: Kuwait

Sun, 25 Oct, 2026

Know your team: Kuwait

Kuala Lumpur: Kuwait will feel they are back where they belong as the former champions eye a memorable outing at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The heydays of 1980 where Kuwait were crowned champions after a 3-0 win against Korea Republic seem like a distant past but there’s hope within the camp that this qualification is the first step towards rediscovering their place at the top tier of Asian football.

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.

#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 (IDN)

Mon, 26 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Jay Idzes (IDN)

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.

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.