Preview - Group A: UAE v Uzbekistan

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group A: UAE v Uzbekistan

Abu Dhabi: United Arab Emirates stand in Uzbekistan's way with the Central Asian nation on the verge of securing FIFA World Cup qualification for the first time.

Timur Kapadze's Uzbekistan only need to avoid defeat against UAE in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A tie to join Islamic Republic of Iran at next year's global extravaganza.
 
UAE, however, will go into the tie at the Al Nahyan Stadium determined to - at the very least - delay Uzbekistan's celebrations.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/video/asianqualifiers-preview-matchday-nine

Preview - Group A: DPR Korea v Kyrgyz Republic

Wed, 04 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group A: DPR Korea v Kyrgyz Republic

Riyadh: Kyrgyz Republic will be fighting to keep their hopes alive when they take on DPR Korea in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Thursday.

The Central Asian side have an outside chance of securing one of the two playoff spots while DPR Korea are out of the running.

Preview - Group B: Iraq v Korea Republic

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group B: Iraq v Korea Republic

Basra: Graham Arnold's Iraq will have to produce their best against Korea Republic on Thursday if they are to keep their hopes of automatic qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 alive.

The sides meet in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B tie in Basra with pacesetters Korea Republic out to confirm an 11th consecutive appearance on the global stage while Iraq need victory to keep second-placed Jordan in sight ahead of their showdown on Tuesday.

Preview - Group B: Oman v Jordan

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group B: Oman v Jordan

Muscat: Oman will aim to maximise home ground advantage when they welcome Jordan to the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex for their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B tie on Thursday.

Both sides are still in the running for direct entry into next year's FIFA World Cup, with Jordan in a more comfortable position.

Preview - Group C: Australia v Japan

Thu, 05 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group C: Australia v Japan

Perth: Australia will expect victory against Japan when the sides square off in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Thursday.

Japan have already confirmed their appearance at next year's FIFA World Cup while Australia are in pole position to claim the second automatic spot from the group.

Preview - Group C: Indonesia v China PR

Thu, 05 Jun, 2025

Preview - Group C: Indonesia v China PR

Jakarta: Indonesia and China PR are set for a blockbuster clash when they meet in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Thursday.

Indonesia still have an outside chance of qualifying automatically for next year's FIFA World Cup while China PR need the three points to stand a chance of advancing to the playoffs, where are another two tickets to the global showpiece will be at stake.

Road to 26 Match Predictor: Race for the FIFA World Cup 2026 spots heats up

Wed, 04 Jun, 2025

Road to 26 Match Predictor: Race for the FIFA World Cup 2026 spots heats up

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 campaign is almost at the finish line as Matchdays Nine and Ten promise intense competition that will shake up the standings as teams make their final push for a place at the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

Speaking of shaking things up, how’s your Match Predictor campaign going?  Need a quick recap of what’s occurred before locking in your picks for the upcoming games? Well, you’re in the right place!  

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to take part in our free-to-play AFC Asian Qualifiers™ Road to 26 Match Predictor by clicking HERE.  

Enough talk, let’s get to the action.  

New tacticians on crucial missions

Mon, 02 Jun, 2025

New tacticians on crucial missions

Kuala Lumpur: All eyes will be on a trio of head coaches as the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 approaches its climax with the final two matchdays.

Three teams will be led by new tacticians, with two still in the running for an automatic spot at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

#AsianQualifiers - MD9: How its stands

Sun, 01 Jun, 2025

#AsianQualifiers - MD9: How its stands

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 enters its home stretch with the final two matchdays to be played over the coming days.

With Islamic Republic of Iran and Japan having already confirmed their tickets to next year's Finals, only four automatic spots remain up for grabs. 

An additional two will be at stake in the playoffs, setting the stage for no-holds barred contests. The-AFC.com takes a look at the state of play in each of the three groups.

Burgess determined to live his dream with Socceroos

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Burgess determined to live his dream with Socceroos

Perth: Cameron Burgess will take his hard-earned experience of the Premier League into Australia’s decisive matches in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 against Japan and Saudi Arabia as the Socceroos look to confirm their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Ipswich Town defender talks to the-AFC.com about the challenge that lies ahead.

Wins for Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Uzbekistan

Wed, 04 Jun, 2025

Wins for Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Uzbekistan

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan recorded victories in international friendlies on Tuesday.

Malaysia came from behind to beat Bhutan 3-1 while Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan defeated the Philippines and India by 1-0 margins. Jordan had to be satisfied with a 2-2 draw against Bangladesh, who fought back twice to claim a share of the spoils.

Vote for your NEOM Future Stars of the Season

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Vote for your NEOM Future Stars of the Season

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 not only crowned first time winners in Al Ahli Saudi FC but also showcased a new generation of footballers who put in some game-changing displays to make their mark on Asia’s premier club competition. 

So now it’s time for you, the fans, to celebrate the future of Asian football by voting for your NEOM Future Stars of the Season. We've shortlisted 10 players who lit up the competition and your vote will now decide who was the season’s standout youngster.  

Europe Wrap: A season to remember for Lee’s PSG

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Europe Wrap: A season to remember for Lee’s PSG

Kuala Lumpur: Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in has become the second Korea Republic international to win the UEFA Champions League after his side routed Italian side Inter 5-0. The 24-year-old follows in the footsteps of Park Ji-sung, who won the 2008 trophy with Manchester United. 

There was also playoff action in the Scottish Premiership and Ligue 1 for some of the Continent’s top professionals, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe this past week.