World champions France 'only human' says Australia's Mabil

Fri, 18 Nov, 2022

World champions France 'only human' says Australia's Mabil

Doha: Australia winger Awer Mabil said on Friday that France were only human as the underdogs prepared for their daunting FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 opener against the defending champions.

Graham Arnold's team face a tough task getting out of Group D, which also contains Tunisia and dark horses Denmark.

But Mabil, who plays for Cadiz in La Liga, said the Australians would not be overawed when they face one of the tournament favourites on Tuesday.

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Qatar 2022: Young Stars to Watch

Fri, 18 Nov, 2022

Qatar 2022: Young Stars to Watch

Doha: The FIFA World Cup has long since offered the perfect platform for some of the brightest stars from the next generation to showcase their talents to the global audience.

And the 2022 edition in Qatar will be no different with a number of young players from the six Asian representatives looking to step up and show the world what they’re capable of. 

Ahead of the tournament kicking off on Sunday, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on six prospects to keep an eye out for in the weeks ahead.

Team Profile: Australia

Fri, 11 Nov, 2022

Team Profile: Australia

Kuala Lumpur: The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be the fifth straight edition in which Australia have participated, and the Socceroos, under Graham Arnold, will aim for the knockout rounds for only the second time fuelled by a talented crop of players who ply their trade across the globe.

With the clock ticking towards the showpiece kicking off in Al Khor on Qatar's eastern coast on November 20, the-AFC.com takes a closer look at the teams representing Asia in the tournament – ​​kicking off with Australia in focus.

Team Profile: IR Iran

Mon, 14 Nov, 2022

Team Profile: IR Iran

Doha: With a record six Asian nations headed to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the continent stands as big a chance of delivering exceptional results this winter as it ever had as Qatar are joined by Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia.

With the clock running down ahead of Qatar 2022 and six Asian teams participating, the-AFC.com profiles each of the sides representing the continent. Next up in this series are Iran.

Team Profile: Japan

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

Team Profile: Japan

Doha: Making their seventh successive appearance at the FIFA World Cup™ since debuting in France in 1998, Japan have appeared in more editions than any other Asian nation except Korea Republic. 

Three Round of 16 appearances remain their best performances to date and, with a squad of players spread around Europe’s top leagues as well as a sprinkling of J1 League-based talent, the Samurai Blue will be targeting the knockout rounds once more.

Team Profile: Korea Republic

Wed, 16 Nov, 2022

Team Profile: Korea Republic

Kuala Lumpur: FIFA World Cups without Korea Republic simply don’t happen anymore, with the 2022 edition in Qatar marking the 10th successive time they have qualified for the global showpiece and 11th overall.

A stunning semi-final showing in 2002 remains by far and away their greatest performance – and that of an Asian nation – on the global showpiece. But time and again they have proven a match for some of the world’s best and, with star players plying their trade all over the globe, the Taeguk Warriors will be dreaming big once more as they head to Doha.

Team Profile: Qatar

Thu, 17 Nov, 2022

Team Profile: Qatar

Dubai: With a record six Asian nations headed to the FIFA World Cup™ 2022, the continent stands as big a chance of delivering exceptional results this winter as it ever had as the hosts Qatar are joined by Saudi Arabia, Japan, Korea Republic, Islamic Republic of Iran and Australia.

As the clock ticks down towards the opening ceremony on Sunday, the-AFC.com takes a look at Qatar, who will be making their FIFA World Cup debut.

Team Profile: Saudi Arabia

Fri, 18 Nov, 2022

Team Profile: Saudi Arabia

Doha: With a record six Asian nations headed to the FIFA World Cup™ Qatar 2022, the continent stands as big a chance of delivering exceptional results this winter as it ever had as the hosts Qatar are joined by Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia.

With the clock running down ahead of the FIFA World Cup, the-AFC.com takes an in depth look at Saudi Arabia as we conclude our series on Asia's Qatar 2022 cast. 

Qatar 2022: Stats & Facts

Wed, 16 Nov, 2022

Qatar 2022: Stats & Facts

Doha: We’re now just days away from the curtain raiser at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 when the host nation goes up against Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Sunday. 

Excitement has been building as the clock ticks down and, for the first time ever, a record six Asian teams will compete at the global showpiece as Australia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, Qatar and Saudi Arabia take to the field in the Gulf nation. 

Ahead of the big kick-off, the-AFC.com takes a look at some of the other statistics involving the Asian Football Confederation’s representatives. 

The FIFA World Cup Trophy in numbers

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

The FIFA World Cup Trophy in numbers

Doha: Who didn't dream at least once of lifting this cup themselves when they were a kid? Playing at the FIFA World Cup Finals is a dream that does not come true for every player and even fewer manage to hold the trophy aloft. Winning this trophy means becoming a football legend and being remembered as a hero for the rest of your life. 

From Diego Armando Maradona to Zinedine Zidane, via Ronaldo and Bastian Schweinsteiger – plenty of footballing legends have had the pleasure of lifting this trophy heavenward and by doing so have gone down in history forever.