One year until Qatar 2022 – The global state of play

Sun, 21 Nov, 2021

One year until Qatar 2022 – The global state of play

Kuala Lumpur: It’s exactly one year until the greatest show on earth kicks off in Qatar, and teams from every corner of the globe are doing their very best to make sure they’ll be there.

Thirteen teams have already qualified for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, while a total of 61 nations are still vying for the 19 remaining places, but what exactly is the current state of play?

Join the-AFC.com as we jet off on a world tour and bring you up to date with who’s in, who can join them and what are the major talking points in the race to reach the Finals.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/asianqualifiers_-_group_b_|_japan_2_-_0_australia.html

Qatar 2022: One year to go until the first FIFA World Cup™ in the Middle East and Arab world

Sun, 21 Nov, 2021

Qatar 2022: One year to go until the first FIFA World Cup™ in the Middle East and Arab world

Doha: On 21 November 2022, the first FIFA World Cup™ in the Middle East and Arab world will begin as the world’s best national teams meet in Qatar. 

The tournament will be like no other, offering fans the opportunity to discover the culture of the host country and the chance to attend more than one match per day during the group stage. 

Qatar announces completion of seventh tournament-ready venue for the FIFA World Cup 2022™

Sun, 21 Nov, 2021

Qatar announces completion of seventh tournament-ready venue for the FIFA World Cup 2022™

Doha: Stadium 974 has been officially unveiled and will host its first match on November 30 when the United Arab Emirates and Syria go head-to-head on the opening day of the FIFA Arab Cup™.

Stadium 974 is the seventh tournament venue to be completed by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and follows Khalifa International, Al Janoub, Education City, Ahmad Bin Ali, Al Bayt and Al Thumama in being declared ready to host matches during the FIFA World Cup 2022™, which will kick off on November 21 next year.

The venue – formerly known as Ras Abu Aboud – is made primarily from shipping containers and is located close to Doha Port, directly opposite the spectacular West Bay skyline. The innovative design means this is the first fully demountable stadium in FIFA World Cup™ history.

Draw date set for new-look FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ intercontinental playoffs

Sun, 21 Nov, 2021

Draw date set for new-look FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ intercontinental playoffs

Zurich: The draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ intercontinental playoffs will be held in Zurich, Switzerland, on Friday, 26 November 2021.

The fixtures that will determine who plays who between the AFC, Concacaf, CONMEBOL and the OFC in the contest for the last two spots at football’s flagship global event will be decided after the European playoff draw, which will start at 17:00 CET. Both draws will be streamed live on FIFA.com for all territories.

AFC Champions League 2021 set for historic showdown in Riyadh

Sun, 21 Nov, 2021

AFC Champions League 2021 set for historic showdown in Riyadh

Kuala Lumpur: Asian football history will be made at the AFC Champions League 2021 Final between Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC and Korea Republic’s FC Pohang Steelers with both teams aiming to lift the Continent’s most sought after club accolade for an unprecedented fourth time. 

After a thrilling campaign in the AFC Champions League, both teams will go head-to-head in the winner-takes-all single-leg battle at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh on Tuesday, November 23, at 7pm (local time; UTC+3) in front of what is expected to be a capacity crowd after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) approved full spectator attendance strictly in line with health and safety protocols. 

2021 AFC Champions League Final: Al Hilal SFC v Pohang Steelers - The Form Guide

Sun, 21 Nov, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League Final: Al Hilal SFC v Pohang Steelers - The Form Guide

Riyadh: Football lovers around the continent were gripped by two outstanding 2021 AFC Champions League semi-finals in October, but – as the final between Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal SFC and Pohang Steelers of Korea Republic draws ever closer - how have the two sides fared since?

Key league fixtures and a crucial international window have come and gone since Tuesday’s finalists booked their place in the decider, and there’s much to ponder ahead of the biggest match on the Asian club football calendar.

Join the-AFC.com as we fill you in on all the key events and results since the semi-finals, and how each side has prepared for the final.