5 Asian FIFA World Cup Heroes 

Tue, 01 Nov, 2022

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 Qatar 2022 only 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. 

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/park_ji-sung.html

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

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/okazaki__honda_2.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/video/beiranvand_on_the_ronaldo_save.html

Asian Moments: 2014

Mon, 01 Jun, 2026

Asian Moments: 2014

Kuala Lumpur: We are getting closer and closer to the FIFA World Cup 2026, and as the global showpiece is expanded to 48 teams, the-AFC.com continues its series where we revisit the performances of Asian teams in the prestigious tournament over the years.

Korea Republic, Japan and Australia continued their tradition of representing Asia, while 2014 marked a return after 16 years of absence for Islamic Republic of Iran, but unlike in South Africa four years earlier, there would be no AFC representation in the knockout stage this time.

Asian Moments: 2010

Sat, 30 May, 2026

Asian Moments: 2010

Kuala Lumpur: We are getting closer and closer to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and as the global showpiece gets set to unveil an expanded cast of 48 teams, the-AFC.com continues its series where we revisit the performances of Asian teams over the years.

After reviewing the 2006 edition last time around, we now look at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa which was not only a monumental occasion for the African continent but also for Asia as two AFC representatives, Japan and Korea Republic, made it to the knockout rounds while Australia and DPR Korea also scripted the history of their own. 

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.

Asian Moments: 1998

Thu, 28 May, 2026

Asian Moments: 1998

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

With the World Cup expanding into 32 teams for the first time, Asia benefited from 3.5 seats at France 1998. Just as they did in the previous edition, Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic were present, while Japan took the third spot and Islamic Republic of Iran ensured the AFC had a four-team contingent for the first-time ever, snatching the qualification ticket in the Intercontinental Playoff from Australia, then representing the OFC.

Asian Moments: 1994

Wed, 27 May, 2026

Asian Moments: 1994

Kuala Lumpur: As we move ever closer towards the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the football world converging on Canada, Mexico and the United States for the global showpiece, the-AFC.com continues its series where we look back at the displays of Asian teams in the tournament over the years.

Having reviewed the 1990 competition last time round, we turn our focus to the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States which was the last one with just two representatives from Asia and where the displays by both Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic only justified the inclusion of more Asian nations in the later editions.

Asian Moments: 1990

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Asian Moments: 1990

Kuala Lumpur: The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11 with nine Asian sides among the 48 teams vying for the coveted trophy.

As we count down towards the opening game between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, the-AFC.com continues our journey down memory lane to remember some of the most memorable moments for Asian football at the FIFA World Cup.

The 1990 FIFA World Cup saw Korea Republic and the United Arab Emirates make strides forward in their footballing histories.

Despite not winning a single game, Korea Republic ended up unearthing two players who would forever become icons of Korean football, while the UAE’s rise to prominence in Asian football was marked with a debut FIFA World Cup appearance six years before they reached the AFC Asian Cup™ final.

Asian Moments: 1986

Fri, 22 May, 2026

Asian Moments: 1986

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

Having looked at the early editions the last time out, we turn our focus to the 1986 tournament in Mexico when Iraq made their first appearance at the FIFA World Cup and Korea Republic returned 32 years after making their debut in 1954.

Asian Moments: The Early Years

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Asian Moments: The Early Years

Kuala Lumpur: The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off in just over two weeks with the global showpiece to feature an expanded cast of 48 teams, including a historic nine Asian sides.

As we wait excitedly for the Asian challenge to kick off, the-AFC.com goes on a journey down memory lane to remember some of the most memorable moments for Asian football at the FIFA World Cup.