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#WAC2026 - Squads revealed

Fri, 27 Feb, 2026

#WAC2026 - Squads revealed

Sydney: The continent’s finest have converged for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ with established stars and emerging talents set to light up the tournament.

The 12 sides hoping to achieve continental glory have announced their squads - with proven winners to debutants set to power their dreams and from the talented pool, the-AFC.com highlights one player per team to keep an eye on.

Europe Wrap: Fujita caps a memorable week for Asia

Mon, 23 Feb, 2026

Europe Wrap: Fujita caps a memorable week for Asia

Kuala Lumpur: Japan midfielder Joel Fujita struck his first goal, and a 70th-minute winner, for St Pauli in the Bundesliga. The 24-year-old’s first goal in 22 appearances this season not only earned his relegation-threatened side valuable points but was also their first win over their opponents since 1977.  

Fujita’s fellow international Koki Ogawa also scored a crucial goal minutes after coming on in the Eredivisie, joining other Continental names who signed the scoresheet across major leagues, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

Know your team: Japan

Sun, 22 Feb, 2026

Know your team: Japan

Kuala Lumpur: Japan have a proud AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ record to maintain as they look forward to winning the coveted trophy for a third time.

The Nadeshiko have reached the semi-finals in each of their last 15 appearances and Nils Nielsen’s squad - the continent's highest ranked side - will be a force to be reckoned with yet again.

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Verdy shootout drama; Buriram blitz; Persib in control

Mon, 23 Feb, 2026

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Verdy shootout drama; Buriram blitz; Persib in control

Kuala Lumpur: Tokyo Verdy’s stoppage-time rescue and penalty composure headlined Round 3 in Japan, where they edged FC Machida Zelvia 3–2 in the shootout after a 2–2 draw, while Sanfrecce Hiroshima struck in the 90+7th minute to beat Cerezo Osaka 2–1 and stay top in Group B.

Thailand saw Buriram United deliver the most emphatic performance of the week, dismantling Sukhothai 6–0 while in Indonesia, Persib Bandung maintained their grip on the summit with a narrow 1–0 win over Persita while there were also matches in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines so join the-AFC.com in our weekly review of the domestic scene across ASEAN and East Asia.

Mixed feelings for Wissing despite Gamba's progression

Fri, 20 Feb, 2026

Mixed feelings for Wissing despite Gamba's progression

Suita: Satisfaction mixed with frustration defined head coach Jens Wissing’s mood after Gamba Osaka edged Pohang Steelers 2-1 on Thursday to seal progression to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™.

While pleased to see his side advance to the last eight stage with a 3-2 aggregate victory, the German tactician made it clear the narrow scoreline did not reflect his team’s dominance on the night. 

R16 (2nd Leg): Resilient Gamba overcome stubborn Pohang

Thu, 19 Feb, 2026

R16 (2nd Leg): Resilient Gamba overcome stubborn Pohang

Suita: Gamba Osaka strode into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ with a well-deserved 2-1 win over FC Pohang Steelers in the second leg of their Round of 16 clash at the Suita City Football Stadium on Thursday.

First half goals by Deniz Hummet and Ryoya Yamashita gave the Japanese side a 3-2 aggregate win, with Jens Wissing’s side to face Thai League 1 side Ratchaburi FC in the quarter-finals.

Munoz hails JDT’s character

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

Munoz hails JDT’s character

Iskandar Puteri: Johor Darul Ta’zim head coach Xisco Munoz praised his players for continuing to believe in the hard-fought 1-0 win over Vissel Kobe on Tuesday which secured a place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ for the Malaysian side.

Marcos Guilherme’s 73rd-minute strike proved decisive as JDT advanced from the League Stage for the second successive season.

FC Seoul frustrate Kim; Gaul delighted with Hiroshima fightback

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

FC Seoul frustrate Kim; Gaul delighted with Hiroshima fightback

Seoul: Head coach Kim Gi-dong did not hide his frustration after FC Seoul surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/25™ concluding League Stage tie on Tuesday. 

The result left Seoul seventh in the standings but staring at elimination as their continental fate depends on Wednesday’s remaining two East Zone League Stage matches. 

Machida’s Yengi revels in first start

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

Machida’s Yengi revels in first start

Machida: Tete Yengi was delighted with his first start for FC Machida Zelvia after grabbing a brace in the 3-2 win against China PR’s Chengdu Rongcheng FC on Tuesday to fire the Japanese side to a top place finish in the East Zone of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ league phase.

Having joined the team in January on loan from Scottish Premiership side Livingston, the 25-year-old forward had only made two substitute appearances prior to the match against Chengdu and rewarded Go Kuroda’s faith with a pair of headers.

MD8: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 1-0 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

MD8: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 1-0 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Iskandar Puteri: Marcos Guilherme hit the only goal of the game as Johor Darul Ta’zim booked their place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over J1 League outfit Vissel Kobe at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.

The Brazilian netted with 17 minutes remaining to earn Xisco Munez’s side a win against a Kobe side that has already qualified for the next phase and the result moves the Malaysian club onto 11 points from their eight league matches.

The result means JDT, who also featured in the Round of 16 last season, can finish no lower than eighth in the standings ahead of Wednesday’s remaining games in the East Zone's League Stage.

MD8: FC Seoul (KOR) 2-2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

MD8: FC Seoul (KOR) 2-2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Seoul: Late goals from Ryo Germain and Kosuke Kinoshita saw Sanfrecce Hiroshima come back from two down to earn a 2-2 draw with FC Seoul on Tuesday that leaves the K League 1 side’s hopes of reaching the last 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26Ω™ in the balance.

A 10th minute Patryk Klimala penalty and Naoyo Arai’s own goal 17 minutes later had given the hosts a two-goal lead at Mokdong Stadium but Germain and Kinoshita both netted in stoppage time to salvage a point for the visitors and complicate the picture for FC Seoul.
 
That means already-qualified Hiroshima finish on 15 points while FC Seoul move onto 10 points from their eight matches and leaves Kim Gi-dong’s side sweating on the outcome of the remaining games in the East Zone's League Stage.

MD8: FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) 3-2 Chengdu Rongcheng FC (CHN)

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

MD8: FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) 3-2 Chengdu Rongcheng FC (CHN)

Machida: Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia closed their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ campaign with an easy 3-2 win over Chengdu Rongcheng FC at the Machida Stadium on Tuesday.

The win moved Go Kuroda’s side to 17 points with the possibility of topping the East Zone standings while Chengdu’s hopes of progressing came to an end, with the China PR side ending their campaign in 10th position.