Casas confident Iraq can end long wait

Wed, 26 Jun, 2024

Casas confident Iraq can end long wait

Kuala Lumpur: By the time the FIFA World Cup kicks off in 2026 it will have been 40 years since Iraq made their first – and so far only – appearance at the Finals. Ahead of Thursday's FIFA World Cup 26™ Preliminary Draw – AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road To 26, head coach Jesus Casas is confident he can help end the West Asian nation’s lengthy drought.

The names of Ahmed Rahdi, Raad Hammoudi and Hussein Saeed are etched indelibly into Iraq’s football folklore, sitting proudly alongside the rest of the 22-man squad that represented the nation on their debut FIFA World Cup appearance in Mexico in 1986.

Such was the country’s status within Asian football at the time, few would have predicted that almost four decades later Iraq would not have made a return visit to the FIFA World Cup Finals.

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Taremi determined to power IR Iran to 2026 Finals

Tue, 18 Jun, 2024

Taremi determined to power IR Iran to 2026 Finals

Kuala Lumpur: The pain of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s semi-final exit at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ still stings for Mehdi Taremi but, as the striker tells the-AFC.com, he is choosing to look towards the future; to his impending move to Serie A giants Inter Milan and to what he hopes will be another FIFA World Cup Finals appearance.

No nation knows semi-final heartbreak at the AFC Asian Cup quite like IR Iran; on seven occasions since 1976 - the most recent of the country’s three consecutive continental titles - Team Melli have fallen one hurdle before the tournament’s deciding match.

Asia at the FIFA World Cup: 1930-1998

Tue, 25 Jun, 2024

Asia at the FIFA World Cup: 1930-1998

Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 is fast approaching as 18 sides continue their quests to reach the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States and carry forward the continent's legacy in the global showpiece. 

Ahead of the draw, the-AFC.com takes a trip down memory lane to find out how the 12 Asian representatives to have previously been to the World Cup have performed – beginning the first of two parts by looking at the editions from its inception in 1930 to the one hosted by France in 1998. 

How They Got Here: Part 1

Mon, 24 Jun, 2024

How They Got Here: Part 1

Kuala Lumpur: With the draw for the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26™ set to take place on June 27, the-AFC.com looks back at how the teams reached the third round of the qualifying campaign. 

A total of 18 sides will be split across three groups, with six teams set to advance directly to the global showpiece in Canada, Mexico and the United States, and a further six to progress to the next stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.
 
Asia has a record eight automatic places up for grabs at the FIFA World Cup, with one more team to get the chance of being the continent’s ninth participant via the Inter-Confederation playoffs.
 
Ahead of the draw, there is all to play for in what promises to be a thrilling next phase of qualifying. Here’s how the six sides from Groups A to C of the previous round got to this stage.

How They Got Here: Part 2

Tue, 25 Jun, 2024

How They Got Here: Part 2

Kuala Lumpur: Eighteen nations from across the continent will compete for automatic qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 during the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 – the draw for which will take place on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

A record number of eight tickets are on offer for Asia at the global showpiece to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, and the contenders will be split into three groups of six teams for the next phase of the Asian Qualifiers, with a ninth side also standing a chance to qualify through the Inter-Confederation playoffs.

With the date for the draw fast approaching, the-AFC.com takes a look back at how the sides from Group D, E and F of the second round made it through to the next stage. 

Japan striker 'King Kazu' Miura plays on at 57

Wed, 26 Jun, 2024

Japan striker 'King Kazu' Miura plays on at 57

Tokyo: The 57-year-old former international Kazuyoshi Miura said Tuesday his passion for playing burns brighter than ever after returning to Japanese club football.

The striker known as "King Kazu" has signed for Atletico Suzuka Club in Japan's fourth tier, on loan from Yokohama FC in the second division.

He returns to Japan after two seasons with Portuguese second-division outfit Oliveirense, where he made nine appearances, also on loan from Yokohama.

Japan’s Kawamura inks deal with Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg

Tue, 25 Jun, 2024

Japan’s Kawamura inks deal with Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg

Wals-Siezenheim: Takumu Kawamura has joined Austrian side FC Red Bull Salzburg on a four-year deal from J1 League’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima, the Austrian Bundesliga club announced on Monday.

The Hiroshima native started his career with the Sanfrecce youth team in 2018 before moving to J2 club Ehime FC on loan where he spent two seasons appearing 77 times and netting 15 goals.