#AFCU23 - Facts & Figures

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23 - Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ kicks off on January 6 with 16 teams vying to lift the coveted trophy.

As the teams enter their final phase of preparations and excitement begins to build, the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures of the tournament.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/2018_final_vietnam_1-2_uzbekistan.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_-_thailand_2020_korea_republic_lift_the_trophy.html

Draw: What they said

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Draw: What they said

Washington: Friday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw revealed the challenges Asia’s finest will face in the expanded global showpiece next summer.

It was a draw which had everything and the Asian teams were understandably excited as they began to lay plans for their respective sides.

The-AFC.com listened to what they had to say.

Asia's hopefuls discover challengers

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Asia's hopefuls discover challengers

Washington: Asia's representatives learnt their FIFA World Cup 2026 challengers following the conclusion of the draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on Friday.

The 48 teams were drawn into 12 groups for the global showpiece which will take place in Canada, Mexico and the United States on June 11-July 19, 2026.

#WAC2026 officials strengthen capabilities at Referees Seminar

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

#WAC2026 officials strengthen capabilities at Referees Seminar

Bangkok: With less than 100 days to go to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted a refereeing seminar from December 1 to 5, 2025, for match officials appointed to the Continent’s premier women’s national team competition.

Hailing from 20 AFC Member Associations (MAs), the 45-strong cast will comprise 16 referees and 18 assistant referees, including two standby officials for each position, as well as 11 Video Match Officials (VMOs), making it the largest-ever contingent of match officials in the competition’s history.

First-ever AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ mascot unveiled

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

First-ever AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ mascot unveiled

Gold Coast: With less than 100 days to go, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ today unveiled the first-ever official mascot in the history of the competition: Naara, the fire horse.

Introduced to fans amid festivities celebrating International Volunteers’ Day in Gold Coast, the milestone follows the launch of WAVEMAKER, the tournament’s first-ever bespoke match ball created by Kelme, further underscoring the AFC’s commitment to setting new benchmarks for the Continent’s premier women’s national team competition.

China PR to host AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027™

Thu, 04 Dec, 2025

China PR to host AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027™

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee ratified on Wednesday the AFC Competitions Committee’s recommendation to award the hosting rights of the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027™ to the Chinese Football Association.

First held in 1959, the 2027 showpiece will mark the competition’s 43rd edition with China PR, the sole bidders, set to provide the backdrop for Asia’s top 16 sides for a second consecutive occasion following the success of the 2025 iteration, which was held in Shenzhen from February 12 to March 1 this year.