AFC Asian Cup News

Andersen extends contract with Hong Kong, China

Tue, 26 Sep, 2023

Andersen extends contract with Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong: Head coach Jorn Andersen has signed a two-year contract extension, the Football Association of Hong Kong, China Limited (HKFA) announced on Tuesday.

Andersen guided Hong Kong back into the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time since 1968, with the East Asian side to meet Islamic Republic of Iran, UNited Arab Emirates and Palestine in Group C.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™: Record 74 match officials named; historic debut for women officials beckons

Thu, 14 Sep, 2023

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™: Record 74 match officials named; historic debut for women officials beckons

Kuala Lumpur: With less than four months to go to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, the largest-ever cast of 74 match officials have been appointed to the Continental showpiece, which is scheduled to be held from 12 January to 10 February 2024 across nine world-class venues.

A total of 35 referees and 39 assistant referees – including two standby nominees for each position – from 18 Member Associations have been selected based on their game management skills and competence, technical knowledge, physical fitness as well as performances delivered at the highest levels of both Continental and global football in recent years.

#AsianCup2023 Slogan Contest: Vote now and take your place in Asian football history

Tue, 12 Sep, 2023

#AsianCup2023 Slogan Contest: Vote now and take your place in Asian football history

Kuala Lumpur: With just four months to go to Asia’s grandest and most prestigious men’s football tournament, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ are presenting passionate fans of Asian football with the opportunity to vote for their preferred slogan and stand a chance to witness the captivating action live in Qatar.

From now until 22 September, football fans across the globe can log onto the-AFC.com or the AFC’s various social media platforms to test their knowledge of the Continent’s oldest competition and vote for their favourite tagline amongst a list of 11 slogans.

Mancini sets Saudi Arabia title target

Tue, 29 Aug, 2023

Mancini sets Saudi Arabia title target

Riyadh: Roberto Mancini said he hoped to lead Saudi Arabia to AFC Asian Cup™ victory within months after he was confirmed as the West Asian side's head coach on Monday. 

The former Inter Milan and Manchester City boss held up a green shirt that read "Mancini 2027" after inking a contract to stay with the Green Falcons beyond the next FIFA World Cup.

Mancini takes charge of Saudi Arabia

Mon, 28 Aug, 2023

Mancini takes charge of Saudi Arabia

Riyadh: Roberto Mancini has been named head coach of the Saudi Arabia men’s national team, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced on Sunday.

Mancini had resigned from his previous post as Italy head coach earlier in August, having spent five years in charge of The Azzurri, leading them to winning UEFA Euro 2020 title and finishing third in the UEFA Nations League twice in 2020-21 and 2022-23.

#AsianCup2023 adds world-class Lusail Stadium to elevate fan experience

Mon, 21 Aug, 2023

#AsianCup2023 adds world-class Lusail Stadium to elevate fan experience

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Local Organising Committee (LOC) today confirmed that the opening match and eagerly anticipated Final of the upcoming edition of Asia’s crown jewel are set to be played at one of the largest match venues ever in tournament history.

The iconic Lusail Stadium, which most recently staged the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final, will rise to the fore again by hosting the first match between defending champions Qatar and Lebanon in Group A on Friday, 12 January, 2024. The kick-off will now be at 7pm local time.

#AsianCup2023 five-month countdown: Fan-voted all-time AFC Asian Cup™ Dream XI revealed

Fri, 11 Aug, 2023

#AsianCup2023 five-month countdown: Fan-voted all-time AFC Asian Cup™ Dream XI revealed

Kuala Lumpur: With five months to go to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, the final all-time Dream XI for the AFC Asian Cup™ has been determined by the passionate fans of Asian football.

The formidable line-up was voted for out of a pool of 48 players who left their mark in the proud and storied history of the Continent’s most prestigious national team competition.

VORTEXAC23: Official Match Ball of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ unveiled

Thu, 10 Aug, 2023

VORTEXAC23: Official Match Ball of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ unveiled

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Kelme have unveiled the official match ball of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, marking a new milestone on the path to the highly anticipated competition, set to take place from 12 January to 10 February 2024 in Qatar.

VORTEXAC23 is designed to capture the excitement, passion, and speed of the game of football while incorporating the iconic maroon colours of the host nation, Qatar. The ball’s design also parallels the emblem of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, which is featured at its centre, drawing inspiration from the emblem’s unique colours and shapes to encapsulate the spirit of the competition as well as that of Asian football.

Vote for your All-time AFC Asian Cup™ Dream XI: Forwards

Fri, 14 Jul, 2023

Vote for your All-time AFC Asian Cup™ Dream XI: Forwards

Kuala Lumpur: With less than six months to go until the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) invites fans to vote for their all-time AFC Asian Cup Dream XI in its latest campaign.

Fans can now view a shortlist of 42 contenders and select their all-time dream squad. The public vote will be combined with those of a panel of football experts to decide the Final Dream XI of the AFC Asian Cup™.

The fan whose squad matches the final selected Dream XI will get the chance to win a trip to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 with a companion.

Vote for your All-time AFC Asian Cup™ Dream XI: Midfielders

Thu, 20 Jul, 2023

Vote for your All-time AFC Asian Cup™ Dream XI: Midfielders

Kuala Lumpur: With less than six months to go until the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, the AFC invites fans to vote for their all-time AFC Asian Cup™ Dream XI in its latest campaign.

Fans can now view a shortlist of 42 contenders and select their all-time dream squad. The public votes will be combined with those of a panel of football experts to decide the Final Dream XI of the AFC Asian Cup™.
 
The fan whose squad matches the final selected Dream XI will get the chance to win a trip to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ with a companion.

Vote for your All-time AFC Asian Cup™ Dream XI: Defenders

Tue, 18 Jul, 2023

Vote for your All-time AFC Asian Cup™ Dream XI: Defenders

Kuala Lumpur: With less than six months to go until the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, the AFC invites fans to vote for their all-time AFC Asian Cup™ Dream XI in its latest campaign.

Fans can now view a shortlist of 42 contenders and select their all-time dream squad. The public vote will be combined with those of a panel of football experts to decide the Final Dream XI of the AFC Asian Cup™.

Vote for your All-time AFC Asian Cup™ Dream XI: Goalkeeper

Thu, 13 Jul, 2023

Vote for your All-time AFC Asian Cup™ Dream XI: Goalkeeper

Kuala Lumpur: With just under six months to go until the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, the AFC invites fans to vote for their all-time AFC Asian Cup Dream XI in its latest campaign.

Fans can now view a shortlist of 42 contenders and pick their all-time dream squad. The public votes will be combined with those of a panel of football experts to decide the Final Dream XI of the AFC Asian Cup.