Know your team: Korea Republic

Fri, 29 May, 2026

Know your team: Korea Republic

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic will head to the FIFA World Cup 2026 determined to enjoy an extended run at the global showpiece.

The East Asian side advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time in 12 years at Qatar 2022 but will feel they have the talent and quality to do much better in North America.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176106

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176108

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176110

Know your team: Jordan

Fri, 29 May, 2026

Know your team: Jordan

Kuala Lumpur: Jordan play at their first World Cup determined to show they belong at football's top table and with Lionel Messi's Argentina presenting the most daunting of prospects.

Jamal Sellami's side face Austria in a tough Group J on their World Cup debut on June 16, followed by Algeria and then reigning champions Argentina in their final pool game in Dallas.

Know your team: Iraq

Fri, 29 May, 2026

Know your team: Iraq

Kuala Lumpur: Iraq's veteran Australian coach Graham Arnold is hoping his team can pull off a shock on their return to the FIFA World Cup stage after a remarkable and gruelling journey to this year's tournament in North America.

The West Asian side sealed a return to the global stage with their last possible chance - defeating Bolivia in the Inter-Confederation Playoff.

Asian Moments: 2006

Fri, 29 May, 2026

Asian Moments: 2006

Kuala Lumpur: With the FIFA World Cup 2026 drawing ever closer, the-AFC.com continues its series of looking back at how Asian teams have performed at the global showpiece over the years.

Following the emphatic success of Korea Republic and Japan, the co-hosts of 2002, Asian football was on the rise, and returned four years later with Islamic Republic of Iran replacing China PR as part of the quartet representing the AFC at Germany 2006.

Asian Moments: 2002

Fri, 29 May, 2026

Asian Moments: 2002

Kuala Lumpur: 2002 was a special year in the history of Asian football as, for the first time since the first ball was kicked at the 1930 edition in Uruguay, the FIFA World Cup finally came to Asia.

The 17th edition of the global showpiece was also the first to be co-hosted as Japan and Korea Republic joined forces to deliver a festival of football in which they both excelled, with the Taeguk Warriors producing a remarkable run to the semi-finals.

There was also a first and, to date, only appearance from China PR, while Saudi Arabia returned for a third successive time.

Tomiyasu ready to repay Japan's faith

Fri, 29 May, 2026

Tomiyasu ready to repay Japan's faith

Tokyo: Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu feels a "responsibility" to perform for Japan at the FIFA World Cup after being called up following long stretches out through injury.

The 27-year-old last played for Japan two years ago and was without a club for six months after leaving Arsenal in July last year to focus on his rehabilitation.