Know your team: China PR

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Know your team: China PR

Kuala Lumpur: China PR will relish testing their mettle at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2027 as they look to improve on last year’s Round of 16 appearance.

Semi-finalists at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™ in May, China PR showed they have the ability to trouble any team as they put eventual champions DPR Korea to the sternest of tests before bowing out.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3196479

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Know your team: Australia

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Know your team: Australia

Kuala Lumpur: Australia will break new ground when they make their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup debut at Morocco 2026.

The Junior Marildas earned their historic ticket after a strong campaign at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™, and will be aiming to make their mark when the action kicks off on Saturday.

Europe Wrap: Yang, Kamada and Goto net first goals

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Europe Wrap: Yang, Kamada and Goto net first goals

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic U23 winger Yang Min-hyeok and Japan internationals Daichi Kamada and Keisuke Goto struck their first goals of the season right after the international break - Yang in the Belgian Pro League, Kamada in the English Premier League and Goto in the Bundesliga. 

There were also goals - albeit at the wrong end of the pitch - for Japan’s Kota Takai and Shogo Taniguchi in their match for Sint-Truiden in Belgium, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Manama: Felix Sanchez has taken charge of Bahrain, with the Spaniard set to lead the West Asian nation at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Sanchez replaces Dragan Talajic, who parted ways with Bahrain following the recent Gulf Cup.

Player to watch: Zhang Yuning (CHN)

Sun, 11 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Zhang Yuning (CHN)

Kuala Lumpur: Striker Zhang Yuning will be pivotal to China PR’s hopes of a successful AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ as the nation attempts to banish the memories of a disappointing campaign in Qatar 2023.

The 29-year-old has been a mainstay of the side throughout the last decade, during which time he spent a prolonged period in Europe before returning to the Chinese Super League to excel for Beijing FC.

Player to watch: Gulzhigit Alykulov (KGZ)

Fri, 09 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Gulzhigit Alykulov (KGZ)

Kuala Lumpur: An ever-present member of the Kyrgyz Republic squad throughout the Qualifiers, Gulzhigit Alykulov is primed to make a strong impression at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Featuring in five of the six matches in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2, Alykulov scored the vital equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Malaysia to enable Kyrgyz Republic to pip the Southeast Asian side to second place behind Oman, thus booking their ticket to the Finals.