LATEST NEWS - BFA

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal, Al Gharafa firmly in charge

Sun, 18 Jan, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal, Al Gharafa firmly in charge

Doha: Al Hilal SFC widened their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League with two crucial wins the past week while Al Gharafa SC showed no signs of slowing down in Qatar.

Al Ain suffered a setback in the UAE Pro League while there were also matches in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman and Syria.

Join the-AFC.com as we review the past week's domestic action across West Asia.

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal surge clear; Al Gharafa, Al Ain in control

Mon, 12 Jan, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal surge clear; Al Gharafa, Al Ain in control

Doha: Al Hilal SFC opened a four-point gap at the top of the Saudi Pro League after Al Nassr Club suffered a second successive defeat.

Al Ain FC hold a four-point lead in the UAE Pro League while Al Gharafa SC are one better in Qatar. There were also matches in Bahrain, Iraq, Oman and Syria so join the-AFC.com in our review of the past week's domestic action across West Asia.

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal take over as Al Nassr stumble

Mon, 05 Jan, 2026

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal take over as Al Nassr stumble

Doha: Al Hilal SFC took over at the top of the Saudi Pro League with a 2-0 defeat of Damac on Sunday.

The win moved Al Hilal to 32 points, one ahead of Al Nassr Club whose difficult week saw them picking up just one point from two matches.

Al Ain FC stayed firmly in control in the UAE Pro League while there were also matches in Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait and Syria so join the-AFC.com in our weekly wrap of the West Asian domestic scene.

West Asia Wrap: Ronaldo stars as Al Nassr continue to dictate

Mon, 29 Dec, 2025

West Asia Wrap: Ronaldo stars as Al Nassr continue to dictate

Doha: Al Nassr Club stayed firmly in charge of the Saudi Pro League title race with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice in their 3-0 win over Al Akhdoud.

Al Gharafa SC's push for Qatar Stars League glory suffered a setback while Al Ain FC were held in the UAE.

There were also matches in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman and Syria so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across West Asia.

Group B: FK Arkadag (TKM) 1-0 Al Khaldiya SC (BHR)

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

Group B: FK Arkadag (TKM) 1-0 Al Khaldiya SC (BHR)

Arkadag: Turkmenistan’s FK Arkadag worked hard to secure a 1-0 win against Al Khaldiya SC of Bahrain to progress to the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ Round of 16 on Wednesday.

Arkadag overtook Al Khalidya with the win to finish on seven points, one better than their opponents. Qatar’s Al Ahli SC topped Group B with 10 points. 

Group A: Al Muharraq SC (BHR) 0-3 Esteghlal FC (IRN)

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

Group A: Al Muharraq SC (BHR) 0-3 Esteghlal FC (IRN)

Arad:  Esteghlal FC made their way into the Round of 16 with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Al Muharraq in their final AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ Group A tie at the Sheikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium on Wednesday. 

Goals from Esmaeil Gholizadeh, Duckens Nazon and Jasir Asani gave the Islamic Republic of Iran side eight points, six behind group winners Al Wasl of the UAE. Bahrain’s Al Muharraq, who were also in the running coming into the match, finished a point adrift.

West Asia Wrap: Al Ain continue to sizzle

Mon, 22 Dec, 2025

West Asia Wrap: Al Ain continue to sizzle

Dubai: Al Ain FC moved five points clear at the top of the UAE Pro League with victory against Al Ittihad Kalba.

There were also matches in Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman and Syria as the season resumed in West Asia following the conclusion of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025.

Group D: Bahrain 3-1 Sudan

Wed, 10 Dec, 2025

Group D: Bahrain 3-1 Sudan

Doha: Bahrain ended their campaign on a high note with a 3-1 defeat of Sudan in their concluding FIFA Arab Cup 2025 Group D tie at Education City Stadium on Tuesday.

Dragan Talajic’s Bahrain ended their campaign in third place on three points.

Preview - Group D: MD3

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

Preview - Group D: MD3

Doha: Iraq will be aiming to end their Group D campaign with victory against Algeria in the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 on Tuesday.

Defending champions Algeria, however, will be determined to - at the very least - avoid defeat as Sudan - who play Bahrain - could pip them to a quarter-final spot.

Group D: Bahrain 1-5 Algeria

Sun, 07 Dec, 2025

Group D: Bahrain 1-5 Algeria

Doha: Bahrain were eliminated after suffering their second defeat in Group D of the FIFA Arab Cup 2025, going down 5-1 to Algeria on Saturday.

Their elimination was confirmed following Iraq's 2-0 defeat of Sudan in the group's later tie.

Preview - Group D: MD2

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

Preview - Group D: MD2

Doha: Iraq will be aiming to tighten their grip on a spot in the knockout stage of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 when they face Sudan in their Group D tie at Stadium 974 on Saturday.

Graham Arnold’s charges edged Bahrain 2-1 and have a two-point advantage at the summit after Sudan held 2021 champions Algeria to a goalless draw.

Ebrahim Lutfalla’s own goal gave Iraq the momentum to secure an opening day victory with Mohanad Ali doubling their lead in the 25th minute  before Bahrain scored a late consolation through Sayed Hashim.

Group D: Iraq 2-1 Bahrain

Thu, 04 Dec, 2025

Group D: Iraq 2-1 Bahrain

Doha: Iraq got their FIFA Arab Cup 2025 Group D campaign off to a flying start with a 2-1 win against Bahrain on Wednesday.

An own goal from Bahrain keeper Ebrahim Lutfalla gave Iraq the momentum before Mohanad Ali sealed the win from inside the box.

Iraq will next meet Sudan on Saturday, with Bahrain taking on defending champions Algeria, who were held to a goalless draw by Sudan in their opening match.