Qualifiers - MD3: Results & Reports

Thu, 25 Sep, 2025

Qualifiers - MD3: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Seven teams confirmed their tickets to the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2026 after topping their respective groups on Wednesday.

Australia emerged the Group A winners with Thailand (Group B), four-time champions Japan (Group C), Vietnam (Group E), Kyrgyz Republic (Group F), titleholders and 13-time champions Islamic Republic of Iran (Group G) and Afghanistan (Group H) joining them at Indonesia 2026.

Group D of the Qualifiers will be contested between October 18 and 22 with Iraq, hosts Saudi Arabia, Chinese Taipei and Pakistan the teams involved.

A further seven spots are available to the best runners-up across the eight groups with Kuwait (Group A), Korea Republic (Group B), Tajikistan (Group C), Lebanon (Group E), Uzbekistan (Group F), Malaysia (Group G) and Myanmar (Group H) finishing second in their respective groups.

#ACLElite – Vote for your VISA Top Goal of MD1

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

#ACLElite – Vote for your VISA Top Goal of MD1

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday One of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 lived up to the hype with excitement, drama, and of course, top goals, as Asia's heavyweights announced themselves across the continent. 

Long-distance rocket, one-two and stoppage-time winner, you name it! MD1 delivered the full spectrum: breakneck counters, precision from the edge, and nerves of steel when it mattered most. 

Following the first round of fixtures, the-AFC.com selects the standout finishes from MD1 and asks you, the fans of Asian football, to vote for your favourite VISA Best Goal at the bottom of the article. 

Know Your Team – Japan

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

Know Your Team – Japan

Kuala Lumpur: Japan will aim to turn continental disappointment into global success when they begin their FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 campaign on Saturday.

The Young Samurai Blue reached the semi-finals of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 earlier this year, falling 2-0 to eventual champions Australia.

The defeat denied them a chance at a record-equalling seventh continental crown but qualification for the global stage was secured yet again for the global youth showpiece.

Know Your Team - Australia

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

Know Your Team - Australia

Kuala Lumpur: Australia will look to transfer continental success to the global stage at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 which kicks off on Saturday. 

Winning the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 put Trevor Morgan’s side in good stead as the Young Socceroos booked a return to the global showpiece for the first time in 12 years.

FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 1-3 Pyramids FC (EGY)

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 1-3 Pyramids FC (EGY)

Jeddah: A hat-trick from Fiston Mayele propelled Pyramids FC to their second consecutive victory in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 in a 3-1 win over Al Ahli Saudi FC in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup 2025 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Tuesday.

It sent the Egyptians into the FIFA Challenger Cup 2025, where they will take on Mexico’s Cruz Azul or the yet-to-be-determined CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champions on December 13. The winners of this tie will play Paris Saint-Germain for FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 glory.

Shaikh Salman reinforces confidence in Asian contenders

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

Shaikh Salman reinforces confidence in Asian contenders

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has underlined his faith in Australia, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Korea Republic to shine as the attention shifts towards the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025, which kicks off on Saturday.

The four AFC representatives will aim to surpass the Continent’s best second-place performances in 1981 (Qatar), 1999 (Japan) and 2019 (Korea Republic) at the global youth showpiece, which has paved the way for some of Asia’s finest talents to break through, including reigning AFC Player of the Year Akram Afif and 2019 Golden Ball winner Lee Kang-in.