Asian Stars to watch

Wed, 10 Jun, 2026

Asian Stars to watch

Kuala Lumpur: Asia will be represented by nine teams at the expanded FIFA World Cup 2026 which kicks off on Thursday.

It promises to be a thrilling campaign for all of the Asian sides, with each bidding to create history.

As we get set for the action, the-AFC.com highlights a key player for each of the Asian teams at the global showpiece.

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5 Asian FIFA World Cup Heroes

Tue, 09 Jun, 2026

5 Asian FIFA World Cup Heroes

Kuala Lumpur: Over the years a number of Asian players have produced the goods at the FIFA World Cup, lighting up arenas around the globe and providing incredible moments that have gone down in the Continent’s footballing folklore.

With the kick-off for the FIFA World Cup 2026 only two days away, we turn back the clock to highlight the achievements of five Asian players who have shone brightest on the global showpiece.

You can tell us who you think is the best Asian player at the FIFA World Cup by voting at the bottom of the article.

Focus: Group I

Sat, 06 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group I

Paris: Winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, France arrive at this FIFA World Cup as one of the leading contenders, but the planet's top-ranked team face stiff tests against Senegal and Norway in Group I, which also features outsiders Iraq.

Les Bleus have won the FIFA World Cup twice and lost two further finals on penalties in the last seven editions, including last time in Qatar when they were beaten by Argentina in a shoot-out after Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick in an epic contest.

Focus: Group J

Sat, 06 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group J

Paris: Holders Argentina arrive at the FIFA World Cup aiming to become the first team in more than half a century to successfully defend their title.

Only two teams – Italy in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil in 1958 and 1962 – have won back-to-back FIFA World Cup crowns, underscoring the difficulty of the task facing Lionel Messi and his teammates.

Yet while history suggests the odds are stacked against the 2022 champions, there are grounds for believing that Argentina are more than capable of completing a rare double.

Focus: Group K

Sun, 07 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group K

London: Cristiano Ronaldo heads to a record sixth FIFA World Cup blessed with a prodigiously talented group of teammates as Portugal target glory for the first time on the global stage.

Roberto Martinez's side are strong favourites to progress from Group K where they face DR Congo and tournament debutants Uzbekistan before the tricky test of Colombia.

Focus: Group L

Sun, 07 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group L

London: Thomas Tuchel is not shy about stating England's ambition to win the FIFA World Cup, with his team strongly fancied to progress from Group L, which includes old foes Croatia.

The 1966 winners, among the favourites to go all the way at the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, will also face Panama and Ghana in the first round.

Former Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea boss Tuchel was appointed in October 2024 to get England over the line after a string of near misses at major tournaments under Gareth Southgate.