News

Six teams to contest Qualifiers Playoff for Saudi Arabia 2027

Tue, 30 Apr, 2024

Six teams to contest Qualifiers Playoff for Saudi Arabia 2027

Kuala Lumpur: Three prized slots in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round are on offer via Playoffs with the official draw on May 9, 2024, set to chart the path forward for six teams.

Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Macau, Mongolia, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste will be paired in a matchup of the six lowest-ranked losing teams from the FIFA World Cup 2026 – Preliminary Competition and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 with home and away encounters scheduled for September 5 (first leg) and September 10 (second leg). 

Digital dominance: Passionate fans fire #AsianCup2023 to nearly 8 billion impressions

Mon, 11 Mar, 2024

Digital dominance: Passionate fans fire #AsianCup2023 to nearly 8 billion impressions

Kuala Lumpur:  The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ will go down in history as by far the most engaging ever edition of Asia’s crown jewel after registering a historic 7.9 billion impressions across all of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s digital channels.

This impressive mark obliterates the previous record of 890 million impressions that was set during the 2019 tournament in the United Arab Emirates by almost nine times and only serves to further underline the remarkable support showcased by the Continent’s passionate football audience.

Vote for your #AsianCup2023 Visit Saudi Magic Moment

Fri, 23 Feb, 2024

Vote for your #AsianCup2023 Visit Saudi Magic Moment

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ will go down as one of the finest editions in the tournament’s history as record crowds took in a continental showpiece that will live long in the memory.

With dramatic late winners, notable upsets, fabulous goals and unique celebrations, the competition delivered the goods in emphatic fashion as hosts Qatar ultimately defended their title to be crowned champions after a 3-1 win over Jordan in the final. 
 
Looking back at the tournament, the-AFC.com has selected eight of the best Visit Saudi Magic Moments and asks you, the fans, to vote for the favourite at the bottom of this article.

Vote for your Qatar Airways Assist of the Tournament

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Vote for your Qatar Airways Assist of the Tournament

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ recently came to a conclusion with hosts and defending champions Qatar cementing themselves as one of Asia’s finest with a second successive title.

Fans of Asian football witnessed wonderful assists leading to memorable goals and in this segment, the-AFC.com asks you, the fans, to vote for your favourite assist at the foot of the article.

Vote for your Continental Goal of the Tournament

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Vote for your Continental Goal of the Tournament

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ turned out to be a spectacular 18th edition of the prestigious competition, with hosts Qatar lifting their second successive title after an action-packed month of football.

A total of 132 goals were scored in 51 matches across the country at a ratio of 2.59 per match. The-AFC.com selects eight of the finest strikes from the tournament and asks you, the fans, to vote for your favourite at the foot of the article.

Segrt leaves Tajikistan

Sun, 18 Feb, 2024

Segrt leaves Tajikistan

Dushanbe: The Football Federation of Tajikistan has confirmed Petar Segrt’s tenure as head coach of the national men’s team has come to an end. 

Segrt, who assumed the post in March 2022, took Tajikistan to historic highs by qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time and breaking into the top 100 of the FIFA World Ranking.

Tajikistan’s rise continued in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, where they advanced to the quarter-finals before losing 1-0 to Jordan in the quarter-finals. 

Vote for your #AsianCup2023 NEOM Future Star

Fri, 16 Feb, 2024

Vote for your #AsianCup2023 NEOM Future Star

Kuala Lumpur: Some of the best young talents on the continent dazzled in spectacular fashion at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ as they displayed their ability on the biggest stage. 

After Qatar’s win over Jordan in the final saw the Maroons defend their title, the-AFC.com now looks back on the tournament and asks you, the fans, to determine the standout NEOM Future Star of the Tournament.
 
We’ve selected 10 nominees who delivered eye-catching performances throughout the AFC Asian Cup, so review the list and don’t forget to vote for your favourite NEOM Future Star at the bottom of the article.

Pizzi steps down as Bahrain head coach

Fri, 16 Feb, 2024

Pizzi steps down as Bahrain head coach

Manama: Bahrain Football Association announced on Thursday the termination of the contract of head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi by mutual agreement.

Spaniard Pizzi took over the role vacated by Helio Sousa after the end of his contract in July 2023 and was in charge of Bahrain at the recent AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

Klinsmann parts ways with Korea Republic

Fri, 16 Feb, 2024

Klinsmann parts ways with Korea Republic

Seoul: Jurgen Klinsmann has parted way with Korea Republic after the German’s failure to lead the nation to a first AFC Asian Cup™ title in 64 years in Qatar earlier this month.

The Korea Football Association made the announcement on Friday following a two-and-a-half hour meeting at their headquarters in Seoul, which was led by KFA president Chung Mong-gyu.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™: The Stats Leaders

Tue, 13 Feb, 2024

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™: The Stats Leaders

Doha: After Qatar secured a second successive AFC Asian Cup™ title with a 3-1 victory against Jordan in Saturday’s final, the-AFC.com takes a closer look at the numbers and players that caught the eye during the campaign.

There were several standout performers in another historic chapter of Asia’s most prestigious competition as we break down the statistics to review some of the key categories and those who excelled in them.

The Final in Numbers

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024

The Final in Numbers

Doha: After an action-packed month that saw 51 matches producing 132 goals, the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ came to a thrilling conclusion on Saturday with hosts Qatar emerging as the champions and defending their continental crown. 

Akram Afif was Qatar’s hero as his hat-trick of penalties defeated the tournament’s surprise package Jordan 3-1 and won the Maroons their second AFC Asian Cup title in front of more than 86,000 fans at Lusail Stadium.
 
As the dust begins to settle on another glorious campaign for Qatar, the-AFC.com reviews a memorable final by taking a closer look at some of the key facts and stats that caught the eye. 

Lopez hails Qatar's history makers

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024

Lopez hails Qatar's history makers

Doha: Head coach Marquez Lopez lauded his Qatar players for their composure and focus in their 3-1 victory over Jordan in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ final on Saturday.

The hosts produced a dominant display from start to finish with Akram Afif netting a hat-trick of penalties to seal the victory at a packed Lusail Stadium, a victory which meant back-to-back AFC Asian Cup titles for Qatar.