Group A: IR Iran 3-0 DPR Korea

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Group A: IR Iran 3-0 DPR Korea

Tehran: Late goals from Mehdi Mohebi, Mehdi Taremi and Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh earned the Islamic Republic of Iran a 3-0 win over 10-man DPR Korea at the Azadi Stadium on Tuesday to seal top spot in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26.

The visitors frustrated Amir Ghalenoi’s side until Kye Tam was sent off for a foul on Omid Noorafkan with 24 minutes remaining and the Iranians took advantage, with Mohebi putting his side ahead in the 74th minute and Taremi adding the second three minutes later.

Hosseinzadeh completed the scoring three minutes into injury time with a composed finish on the run.

Victory confirmed the Iranians, who secured their qualification for the FIFA World Cup in March, as the winners of Group A ahead Uzbekistan while DPR Korea finished rooted to the bottom of the standings at the completion of the third phase of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.

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Australia take final spot; Oman through to playoffs

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Australia take final spot; Oman through to playoffs

Kuala Lumpur: Australia booked the final automatic ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 concluded on Tuesday.

There was joy for Oman as well as they advanced to the playoffs, where an additional two tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be at stake.

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD2 Results & Reports

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD2 Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia, Myanmar, Syria and Turkmenistan stayed perfect as Matchday Two of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round came to a close on Tuesday.

Turkmenistan were in imperious form against Thailand, with the Central Asian side cruising to a 3-1 win to open a three-point lead at the top of the Group D standings.

Syria and Myanmar, meanwhile, are set for a thrilling encounter in October after registering 1-0 victories against Afghanistan and Pakistan respectively.

Malaysia stunned Southeast Asian rivals Vietnam 4-0 to move three points clear at the top of Group F. Only the six group winners will advance to Saudi Arabia 2027.

Pick your Fan-voted Favourite Player of the Season by STA

Sun, 08 Jun, 2025

Pick your Fan-voted Favourite Player of the Season by STA

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 delivered plenty of thrilling moments, unforgettable goals and classy performances from some of Asia’s biggest stars but now it’s time to pick one player who stood out from the rest.  

Ten players from Asia’s premier club competition have been shortlisted and it’s up to you, the fans, to decide who emerges as the Fan-voted Favourite Player of the Season – presented by STA – by casting your votes. 

AFC men’s club competitions’ 2025/26 line-ups revealed

Tue, 10 Jun, 2025

AFC men’s club competitions’ 2025/26 line-ups revealed

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today confirmed the list of participating clubs for the 2025/26 campaigns of its three men’s competitions.

The line-ups for the upcoming seasons of the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite), AFC Champions League Two™ (ACL Two) and AFC Challenge League™ (ACGL) were determined in accordance with the finalised AFC Club Competitions 2025/26 slot allocations—which can be found in full here—and list of licensed clubs.

Know your team: Al Ain FC (UAE)

Tue, 10 Jun, 2025

Know your team: Al Ain FC (UAE)

Kuala Lumpur: Al Ain FC will have to overcome tough opposition if the side from the United Arab Emirates are to progress from the group stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2026.

Al Ain impressed in their only previous appearance at the tournament and Vladimir Ivic's side will be looking to deliver similar results in this year's edition, which has been expanded to 32 teams. 

Asia at the FIFA Club World Cup

Sun, 08 Jun, 2025

Asia at the FIFA Club World Cup

Kuala Lumpur: Asia will be represented by four teams at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 with all the sides relishing the opportunity of challenging for the title.

Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal SFC, Ulsan HD of Korea Republic and Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds are the latest teams from the continent hoping to be crowned the world's best.

It won't be easy, not with so many of the world's top sides also challenging for the title but the four will go into the tournament knowing that teams from the continent have done well in previous editions, with the-AFC.com taking a look at how the Asian journey has been.