Preview - Group A: Qatar v United Arab Emirates

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

Preview - Group A: Qatar v United Arab Emirates

Al Rayyan: Qatar will be aiming to continue their purple patch when they face United Arab Emirates in their opening AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A tie at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Thursday.

Qatar followed up their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ triumph by qualifying for the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers with two matches to spare and head into their Group A opener against UAE on the back of an 11-match unbeaten run.

Chance to win exciting prizes with AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Match Predictor

Thu, 05 Sep, 2024

Chance to win exciting prizes with AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Match Predictor

Kuala Lumpur: Exciting prizes are waiting to be won by participating in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Match Predictor on the-AFC.com and the AFC LIVE app with the qualification campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States entering its business end in Asia.  

With 18 national teams from the continent still in contention for places in the global event, the Match Predictor game offers passionate fans from Asia and beyond a chance to win an exciting range of prizes. Participants can enter their predictions for the outcomes of all 90 matches, beginning September 5, and earn points for every correct prediction. 

Preview - Group A: Uzbekistan v DPR Korea

Thu, 05 Sep, 2024

Preview - Group A: Uzbekistan v DPR Korea

Tashkent: Uzbekistan will be out to prove a point when they kick off their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A campaign against DPR Korea at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Thursday.

After the disappointment of failing to advance to the third round of the Qatar 2022 qualifiers, Srecko Katanec's side returns to the continental stage with a renewed sense of purpose.

Preview - Group A: IR Iran v Kyrgyz Republic

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

Preview - Group A: IR Iran v Kyrgyz Republic

Fuladshahr: Islamic Republic of Iran head into the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 2026 with high expectations, having secured qualification for the past three editions of the FIFA World Cup by topping their group.

Team Melli will aim to continue this trend and dominate their group once again in their sixth consecutive appearance at this stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers, a testament to their consistency and prowess on the continental stage.

Preview - Group B: Korea Republic v Palestine

Thu, 05 Sep, 2024

Preview - Group B: Korea Republic v Palestine

Seoul: Korea Republic’s mission will be to extend their record to an 11th consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance when they open their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B campaign against Palestine on Thursday.

Korea Republic advanced to the third phase of qualification as Group C winners of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Preview - Group B: Jordan v Kuwait

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

Preview - Group B: Jordan v Kuwait

Amman: A new era begins with Jamal Sellami in charge of his first match when Jordan take on Kuwait in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B tie on Thursday.

His predecessor Hussein Ammouta brought unprecedented success to Jordan by taking them to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ final as well as finishing ahead of Saudi Arabia in the second round of FIFA World Cup qualifying, setting high standards for Sellami to maintain.

Preview - Group B: Iraq v Oman

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

Preview - Group B: Iraq v Oman

Basra: Iraq are all set to make a strong push for a ticket to the FIFA World Cup when they kick off their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B campaign against Oman on Thursday. 

Having navigated the second round with a perfect six wins, Jesus Casas-led Iraq are aiming to replicate the success of the 1986 squad that qualified for the nation's maiden FIFA World Cup in Mexico.

Preview - Group C: Australia v Bahrain

Thu, 05 Sep, 2024

Preview - Group C: Australia v Bahrain

Gold Coast: Australia will be looking to mark their first match in the Gold Coast with a win when they take on Bahrain in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group C tie at Robina Stadium on Thursday.

Perfect in the second round of qualification, Australia won all six of their matches by scoring 22 goals and conceding none but head coach Graham Arnold has warned that those statistics will mean little heading into the Bahrain encounter.

Preview - Group C: Japan v China PR

Thu, 05 Sep, 2024

Preview - Group C: Japan v China PR

Saitama: Hajime Moriyasu is determined that Japan will enjoy a strong start to their campaign in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 when they face China PR on Thursday.

Kaoru Mitoma returns to the squad for the first time since the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ as Moriyasu looks to guide the Samurai Blue to an eighth consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

Preview - Group C: Saudi Arabia v Indonesia

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

Preview - Group C: Saudi Arabia v Indonesia

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia have a perfect record to maintain when they kickstart their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group C campaign against Indonesia at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Thursday.

The Green Falcons have an impeccable record in their matches against the Southeast Asian side, winning 10 and drawing once as head coach Roberto Mancini looks to take Saudi Arabia to a seventh FIFA World Cup appearance.

Daboub: Palestine ready to challenge the best

Tue, 03 Sep, 2024

Daboub: Palestine ready to challenge the best

Kuala Lumpur: Palestine are set to embark on their historic AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 campaign with head coach Makram Daboub laying the final touches ahead of their opening Group B tie against Korea Republic on Thursday.

It has been a challenge but Daboub tells the-AFC.com that the players are relishing the matches ahead as Palestine embark on a bid to continue their recent rise in Asia. 

Lisitsyn excited to chart Kyrgyz Republic’s course

Mon, 02 Sep, 2024

Lisitsyn excited to chart Kyrgyz Republic’s course

Bishkek: Maksim Lisitsyn is ready to lead Kyrgyz Republic into uncharted territory as the Central Asian side cast their eyes on earning FIFA World Cup qualification for the first time.

With Kyrgyz Republic having navigated past the second round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ for the first time, the entire nation is looking forward to the next phase of qualifying and the 46-year-old head coach shares with the-AFC.com on what his plans are to take on the continent’s best teams.

Hong ready to hit the ground running with Korea Republic

Sun, 01 Sep, 2024

Hong ready to hit the ground running with Korea Republic

Seoul: Hong Myung-bo has returned as Korea Republic head coach, 10 years after his last stint at the helm of the national team ended in disappointment.

He talks to the-AFC.com about the lessons he has learned over the past decade and his ambitions for the current team.

Preview - Qualifiers Playoff (1st leg)

Wed, 04 Sep, 2024

Preview - Qualifiers Playoff (1st leg)

Kuala Lumpur: Six nations will battle it out in the playoffs to reach the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round with the first leg matches set to take place on Thursday.

The-AFC.com previews the three ties involving Timor-Leste, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam and Macau who are all looking to seize one final opportunity to be part of Saudi Arabia 2027.

Preview - Group E, MD2: Japan v Ghana

Wed, 04 Sep, 2024

Preview - Group E, MD2: Japan v Ghana

Bogota: Japan will be seeking their second successive win when they play Ghana in Group E of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup on Thursday.

The Young Nadeshiko, champions in 2018, opened their campaign with a resounding 7-0 defeat of New Zealand and will be optimistic of their chances against Ghana.

Preview - Group F, MD2: DPR Korea v Costa Rica

Wed, 04 Sep, 2024

Preview - Group F, MD2: DPR Korea v Costa Rica

Cali: DPR Korea will head into their FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2024 Group F tie against Costa Rica on Thursday knowing victory will probably seal their spot in the knockout stage.

The two-time champions were phenomenal in their opening match, defeating Argentina 6-2 and will believe they pack too much firepower for a Costa Rica side who lost 2-0 to the Netherlands on Matchday One.