Shimizu, Iqbal eager for showdown

Wed, 04 Feb, 2026

Shimizu, Iqbal eager for showdown

Jakarta: Japan captain Kazuya Shimizu and his opposite number Mochammad Iqbal of Indonesia will have their leadership capabilities put to the test when they meet in their AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026™ semi-final on Thursday.

Both players proved instrumental in steering their sides to the last four, with four-time champions Japan sweeping aside Afghanistan 6-0 and hosts Indonesia doing well to overcome ASEAN neighbours Vietnam 3-2. 

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_futsal_asian_cup.html/video/acfutsal2026-|-preview-semi-finals

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3154835

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3154837

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3154839

Azimi, Faisal determined to show their best

Wed, 04 Feb, 2026

Azimi, Faisal determined to show their best

Jakarta: Behrooz Azimi and Salim Faisal are equally determined to help Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq reach their ultimate target at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026™.

Both teams came through their quarter-final ties with flying colours, beating Uzbekistan 7-4 and Thailand 4-2 respectively but something will have to give with a spot in the final at stake.

S-final - Preview: Indonesia v Japan

Wed, 04 Feb, 2026

S-final - Preview: Indonesia v Japan

Jakarta: A confident Japan are in for a tough time when they face a charged-up Indonesia in their AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026™ semi-final on Thursday, with both sides well acquainted with each other’s game.

The East Asian side, on the hunt for a fifth title, overwhelmed Afghanistan 6-0 in the quarter-finals on Tuesday while Indonesia defeated Vietnam 3-2 to secure their first semi-final appearance in 11 outings.

S-final - Preview: Iraq v IR Iran

Wed, 04 Feb, 2026

S-final - Preview: Iraq v IR Iran

Jakarta: Islamic Republic of Iran will take nothing for granted when they face Iraq in the semi-finals of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026™ on Thursday.

While Iran will be playing in their 18th semi-final, Iraq will be making only their second appearance at this stage but head coach Vahid Shamsaee is keen to size up their opponents based on the tournament rather than history.

#ACLTwo contenders gear up for knockout battles

Wed, 04 Feb, 2026

#ACLTwo contenders gear up for knockout battles

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) 2025/26™ is set for a thrilling return to action when the Knockout Stage kicks off on February 10 (Tuesday).

Sixteen clubs will continue their quest for glory in the two-legged showdowns, with the pairings—as well as the route to the Final—determined during a draw in December.

AFC receives bids to host for AFC Asian Cup 2035™

Fri, 30 Jan, 2026

AFC receives bids to host for AFC Asian Cup 2035™

Kuala Lumpur: Following the proposal put forward by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa at the 35th AFC Congress to explore the possibility of presenting the host selections for both the 2031 and 2035 editions of the AFC Asian Cup™ for approval at a single Congress, the AFC has concluded the process of receiving bids from interested Member Associations (MAs) for the AFC Asian Cup 2035™.

The bidding process for the AFC Asian Cup 2031™ was completed last year and attracted strong interest from across the Continent. Subsequently, and in line with the AFC President's forward-looking approach, invitations to bid for the 2035 edition were circulated to MAs on August 27, 2025, with the submission window closing on December 31, 2025.