LATEST NEWS

Europe Wrap: Machino, Lee net first goals

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

Europe Wrap: Machino, Lee net first goals

Kuala Lumpur: Japan striker Shuto Machino and Korea Republic’s Lee Han-beom had a memorable week when they struck their first goals of the season.

Machino claimed his in the Bundesliga in his second appearance while centreback Lee bagged his first in seven Belgian Pro League showings.

There were also goals and assists for other Continental stars, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

AG (W): Q-final cast finalised

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

AG (W): Q-final cast finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The concluding day of the Asian Games 2026 Group Stage for women’s football on Monday saw eight sides book their berths in the quarter-finals.

Japan, Chinese Taipei, DPR Korea, Korea Republic, China PR, Uzbekistan, Philippines and Vietnam all advanced to the last eight stage.

DPR Korea will face Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals, Japan play the Philippines, China PR take on Vietnam while Korea Republic will battle it out with Uzbekistan with the matches to be played on Friday and Saturday.

#ACLElite - Vote for your Favourite Goal of The Matchday 1, Presented by VISA

Sun, 20 Sep, 2026

#ACLElite - Vote for your Favourite Goal of The Matchday 1, Presented by VISA

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday 1 delivered a feast of memorable strikes, from stunning solo efforts and well-worked team moves to hat-trick heroes and late drama, which lightened up the opening matches of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™. 

Watch the contenders, pick the finish that impressed you most, and cast your vote for the Visa Top Goal of MD1. 

West Asia Wrap: Al Karma take charge in Iraq; Al Faisaly surge in Jordan

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Karma take charge in Iraq; Al Faisaly surge in Jordan

Doha: Al Karma are setting the pace in the Iraq Stars League, moving two points clear at the top after edging Zakho.

The race in Jordan is beginning to take shape while the other West Asian leagues were not in action due to the international break.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Issy-Kul, Fergana stream ahead, Istiklol go off track

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Issy-Kul, Fergana stream ahead, Istiklol go off track

Bishkek: FC Bars Issyk-Kul and PFC Neftchi stayed on course for second consecutive titles in Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan respectively while FC Istiklol, looking for a 12th straight trophy, saw their championship bid derailed in Tajikistan.

The domestic league in Sri Lanka wrapped up its first round, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

ASEAN Wrap: Champions set the early pace across region

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

ASEAN Wrap: Champions set the early pace across region

Kuala Lumpur: Johor Darul Ta’zim continued their perfect start to the Malaysia Super League season with a 3-0 victory over Negeri Sembilan, while defending champions Cong An Ha Noi FC maintained their perfect record with a 3-0 win over Truong Tuoi Dong Nai in Vietnam. 

In Indonesia, defending champions Persib Bandung came from behind to defeat Persijap Jepara 2-1, while Buriram United opened their Thai League 1 title defence with a 1-0 victory over Chonburi.

There was also action in Singapore, Cambodia and the Philippines so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the latest domestic action across ASEAN.

East Asia Wrap: Vissel move top; Zhejiang hit four

Sun, 20 Sep, 2026

East Asia Wrap: Vissel move top; Zhejiang hit four

Hong Kong: Vissel Kobe moved to the top of the J1 League after edging Gamba Osaka, while Kashiwa Reysol climbed to second with victory over Machida Zelvia.

In Korea Republic, leaders FC Seoul and second-placed Ulsan HD FC both suffered defeats, while Zhejiang FC secured a 4-1 win in China PR and HK Rangers collected their first points in Hong Kong.

QF: Late show sees DPR Korea keep title defence on track

Mon, 21 Sep, 2026

QF: Late show sees DPR Korea keep title defence on track

Lodz: DPR Korea struck twice in stoppage time to defeat Canada 2-0 and advance to the semi-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 on Sunday. 

The defending champions were made to work hard by a resilient Canadian side before Choe Rim Jong finally broke the deadlock in the second minute of added time with Ho Kyong sealing the win two minutes later.

#ACLElite - Matchday One: What They Said

Sat, 19 Sep, 2026

#ACLElite - Matchday One: What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ got off to an enthralling start, with Matchday One delivering goals, drama and memorable performances across the continent.

The-AFC.com looks back at what some of the key protagonists had to say after the opening round of matches.

FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup: Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) 2-1 Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Sat, 19 Sep, 2026

FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup: Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) 2-1 Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Pretoria: AFC Champions League Elite™ holders Al Ahli Saudi FC suffered a 2-1 defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup 2026 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

Nuno Santos struck twice for the African champions, with Al Ahli’s only goal coming through a Ronwen Williams own goal, as the Saudi Arabian side’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026 campaign came to an end.

QF: Korea Republic 1-3 Italy

Sat, 19 Sep, 2026

QF: Korea Republic 1-3 Italy

Sosnowiec: Korea Republic’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 campaign came to an end after a 3-1 defeat to Italy in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

A goal in each half from Karen Appiah propelled Italy to victory after a brief fightback from Korea Republic.

Matchday One: Five Takeaways

Sat, 19 Sep, 2026

Matchday One: Five Takeaways

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 got off to an emphatic start the past week as the continent's top 32 clubs went head to head.

The-AFC.com highlights five takeaways after an exhilarating round of matches.