Japan’s depth thrills Moriyasu; Indonesia’s Kluivert promises improvement

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Japan’s depth thrills Moriyasu; Indonesia’s Kluivert promises improvement

Suita: Head coach Hajime Moriyasu was delighted to see emerging talents stake a claim for places in the Japan squad after impressive performances in their 6-0 win against Indonesia in their final AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group C tie on Tuesday.

Junnosuke Suzuki, Shunsuke Mito, Kodai Sano and Sato were all given their international bows by Moriyasu as the 56-year-old tactician rang in the changes following Thursday’s 1-0 reverse to Australia.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/video/asianqualifiers-road-to-26-|-group-c-japan-6-0-indonesia

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3094447

Jaber applauds Oman’s determination

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Jaber applauds Oman’s determination

Amman: Head coach Rashid Jaber praised his players for their unwavering belief after Oman scored in stoppage time to hold Palestine to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B tie on Tuesday.

The point secured Oman a spot in the playoffs, keeping their dreams of an inaugural appearance at the FIFA World Cup alive.

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.

Shaikh Salman congratulates Asian history-makers

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Shaikh Salman congratulates Asian history-makers

Kuala Lumpur: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has congratulated the six Asian sides for clinching their places in the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026 following the conclusion of Matchday 10 of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 on Tuesday.

Jordan and Uzbekistan created history on Matchday 9 by sealing their first-ever spots at the global showpiece with the Korea Republic also sealing an unprecedented 11th consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance, whilst Australia booked their tickets on the final matchday after defeating Saudi Arabia 2-1 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

Cklamovski: Malaysia’s discipline secured victory against Vietnam

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Cklamovski: Malaysia’s discipline secured victory against Vietnam

Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Peter Cklamovski hailed Malaysia’s collective performance after his side produced a scintillating second-half display to defeat Vietnam 4-0 in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group F clash on Tuesday.

In front of a partisan home crowd, Malaysia struck four times after the interval through Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, La’Vere Corbin-Ong and Dion Cools to register a memorable victory and climb to the top of the group with six points.

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 Hilal SFC (KSA)

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Know your team: Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Kuala Lumpur: Al Hilal SFC, by their high standards, will head into the FIFA Club World Cup 2026 on the back of a difficult season.

The perennial trophy winners ended the 2024/25 season empty handed and will - despite the tough challenge awaiting them - be determined to shine in the expanded tournament.

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.