Group C: Saudi Arabia 1-2 Australia

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Group C: Saudi Arabia 1-2 Australia

Jeddah: Australia secured automatic qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the result confirming the Socceroos’ second-place finish in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26.

Abdulrahman Al Obud gave Saudi Arabia hope they could claim the five goal win needed to overhaul Tony Popovic’s side when he struck in the 19th minute but Connor Metcalfe’s equaliser three minutes before the break calmed Australian nerves.

Mitch Duke’s header three minutes after the restart gave Australia the lead and the visitors held on as Maty Ryan saved a late Salem Al Dawsari penalty to claim a win that secures the second automatic berth at the finals alongside group winners Japan.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, will progress to October’s playoffs where six nations will battle for the two remaining guaranteed slots at the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico for Asian representatives.

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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.

Group C: China PR 1-0 Bahrain

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Group C: China PR 1-0 Bahrain

Chongqing: Teenager Wang Yudong scored from the penalty spot three minutes into stoppage time to give China PR a 1-0 win over Bahrain in their final AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group C match on Tuesday.

The result saw China PR finishing fifth in the group with nine points, with Bahrain three adrift with both teams having already been eliminated.

Group C: Japan 6-0 Indonesia

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Group C: Japan 6-0 Indonesia

Suita: Daichi Kamada scored twice in the first half to lead Japan to a 6-0 defeat of Indonesia on Tuesday as Hajime Moriyasu’s side closed out their successful AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 campaign with a seventh win in 10 matches in Group C.

Kamada gave Japan the lead with a 15th minute header and, after Takefuso Kubo doubled the advantage four minutes later, the Crystal Palace forward scored his side’s third six minutes into first half injury time.

Ryoya Morishita and Shuto Machino added the fourth and fifth in the 55th and 58th minutes respectively and substitute Mao Hosoya thumped in his side’s sixth with nine minutes remaining as Japan celebrated their qualification for the FIFA World Cup with a huge win.

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.