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Taremi, Jahanbakhsh to front IR Iran

Mon, 01 Jun, 2026

Taremi, Jahanbakhsh to front IR Iran

Istanbul: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Amir ⁠Ghalenoei placed his faith in veterans Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh as he named his FIFA World Cup 2026 squad on Monday.

Taremi, 33, who plays for ⁠Olympiacos, and former Brighton & Hove Albion winger Jahanbakhsh, will ​lead the attack ‌in the tournament.

Arnold goes for experienced Iraq squad

Mon, 01 Jun, 2026

Arnold goes for experienced Iraq squad

Barcelona: Head coach Graham Arnold named an experienced squad as Iraq look forward to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Set for only their second appearance at the global showpiece, Iraq will have to contend with former champions France, Senegal and Norway in Group I.

Al Dawsari, Abdulhamid to lead Saudi Arabia

Mon, 01 Jun, 2026

Al Dawsari, Abdulhamid to lead Saudi Arabia

Riyadh: Salem Al Dawsari will lead Saudi Arabia's challenge at the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the forward set to make his third appearance at the global showpiece.

Head coach Georgios Donis named his final squad on Monday, with Lens defender Saud Abdulhamid also expected to play a prominent role in Saudi Arabia's bid to advance past the group stage.

Al Hilal SFC’s Al ‌Dawsari, the 2025 AFC Player of the Year, scored the winner in Saudi Arabia's 2-1 upset of Argentina in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 opener.

Volpato gets Australia nod

Mon, 01 Jun, 2026

Volpato gets Australia nod

Sydney: Head coach Tony Popovic named Italy under-21 international Cristian Volpato in Australia's 26-strong squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Monday after he switched allegiance last week.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who was born and raised in Sydney and plays for Sassuolo in Serie A, is one of two uncapped players along with Japan-based striker Tete Yengi.

Know your team: Qatar

Sat, 30 May, 2026

Know your team: Qatar

Kuala Lumpur: Qatar will be on a mission to stamp their march on the FIFA World Cup 26.

Appearing on the global stage on merit for the first time, the 2022 hosts will be aiming to maximise on their experience to advance past the group stage.

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. 

FIFA World Cup 2026 spotlight: Khamis Al Marri – AFC Video Match Official

Sun, 31 May, 2026

FIFA World Cup 2026 spotlight: Khamis Al Marri – AFC Video Match Official

Kuala Lumpur: A total of 25 match officials are set to represent the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Ahead of their campaign on the world’s grandest stage, the-AFC.com caught up with the officials who will be blowing the whistle in the 2026 edition of the global showpiece.

Gritty Socceroos aim to spoil United States' party

Sun, 31 May, 2026

Gritty Socceroos aim to spoil United States' party

Pasadena: Efforts to boost football in the United States rest heavily on the national team's success at the FIFA World Cup 26 - but their Group D opponents Australia have every intention of crashing the co-hosts' party.

"It's our role to spoil one part of it," Socceroos midfielder Aiden O'Neill said on Saturday.

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.

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.

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.

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.