Featured

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3029573.html

afc-newsletter

News

Know your team: Saudi Arabia

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Know your team: Saudi Arabia

Jeddah: A highly confident Saudi Arabia will aim to maximise home ground advantage in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™.

Champions in 2022, Saudi Arabia relinquished their title to Japan in 2024 edition but will head into the tournament on home soil in fine form, having lifted the Arab U23 Cup 2025 with a 2-0 victory over Iraq in the final on Tuesday.

Preview: Final & 3rd Place Playoff

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Preview: Final & 3rd Place Playoff

Doha: Jordan will seek to lift the trophy for the first time when they play Morocco in the final of the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates will meet in playoff for third place, with both seeking to end their respective campaigns on a high note.

Rodgers takes charge of Al Qadsiah

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Rodgers takes charge of Al Qadsiah

Riyadh: Former Celtic and Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has joined Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah as head coach.

Al Qadsiah are currently fifth in the Saudi Pro League and parted ways with previous head coach Michel Gonzalez on Sunday.

#WAC2026 Dream XI: Pick your defenders

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

#WAC2026 Dream XI: Pick your defenders

Kuala Lumpur: The road to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ is beginning to feel real — and before the first whistle blows, fans get to take charge with the #WAC2026 Dream XI. Build your ultimate team from a curated pool where generational legends meet the next wave of stars. 

Goalkeeper? Sorted. Time for the backline. Three defenders who can organise, disrupt, lead and inspire. From penalty-box generals to flying wide defenders, your nominees are ready. 

Jamous: Al Naimat gave Jordan extra motivation to reach final

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Jamous: Al Naimat gave Jordan extra motivation to reach final

Al Khor: Injured captain Yazan Al Naimat inspired Jordan’s 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 semi-finals on Monday, said Amer Jamous. 

Jordan struggled to break down Saudi Arabia for more than an hour at Al Bayt Stadium before Nizar Al Rashdan nodded home the winner in the 66th minute to book a final showdown against Morocco on Thursday.

Europe Wrap: Asia’s finest in top form

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Europe Wrap: Asia’s finest in top form

Kuala Lumpur: Reo Hatate, Ritsu Doan, Kento Shiogai and Keisuke Goto of Japan, Oh Hyeon-gyu and Lee Jae-sung of Korea Republic and Mousa Al Tamari of Jordan all featured among the goal-getters across major European leagues and competitions.

Other continental stars were also in the thick of action, so follow the-AFC.com as we take look at what Asia’s finest were up to in Europe the past week.

#AFCU23: The Stadiums

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: The Stadiums

Jeddah: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ will be played in four stadiums across two cities.

Jeddah and Riyadh will witness what promises to be high quality action with 32 matches to be played. The-AFC.com shines the spotlight on the four stadiums.

S-final: Al Rashdan strike takes Jordan past Saudi Arabia

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

S-final: Al Rashdan strike takes Jordan past Saudi Arabia

Al Khor: Nizar Al Rashdan scored in the second half as Jordan secured a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in their FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 semi-final at the Al Bayt Stadium on Monday.

After a listless first half, Al Rashdan powered home a header in the 66th minute to book Jordan their place in the final against Morocco on Thursday. Saudi Arabia will face the United Arab Emirates in the third-place playoff. 

S-final: UAE’s title dream ended by Morocco

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

S-final: UAE’s title dream ended by Morocco

Al Rayyan: United Arab Emirates’ FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 title hopes were dashed after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Morocco in their semi-final at the Khalifa International Stadium on Monday.

Goals from Karim El Berkaoui and substitute Achraf El Mahdioui sealed victory for Morocco, who will face either Saudi Arabia or Jordan in the final at Lusail Stadium on Thursday.

#AFCU23: Stars who have shone

Mon, 15 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: Stars who have shone

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U23 Asian Cup™ has a history of showcasing some of the brightest talents on the continent as the players on display look to continue their rise to prominence.

Many of those who have stood out for their countries over the years have gone on to become key performers for their senior national teams and represent some of the biggest clubs in Asia and beyond.

As the seventh edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup approaches its kick-off on January 6, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on some of the other big names to have graced the tournament.

Chang: Wuhan Jiangda will learn from ASFAR experience

Mon, 15 Dec, 2025

Chang: Wuhan Jiangda will learn from ASFAR experience

Berrechid: Head coach Chang Weiwei saw a silver lining despite Wuhan Jiangda Women FC’s 2-1 defeat to Morocco’s ASFAR in the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2026 second round on Sunday.

Wang Shuang had given the AFC Women's Champions League 2024/25™ winners the lead with a stunning strike just before the half-hour mark but ASFAR turned the game around with goals from Hajar Said and Sanaa Mssoudy to seal the win in extra-time.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Persepolis climb to the top; Istiklol clinch 15th title

Sun, 14 Dec, 2025

Central & South Asia Wrap: Persepolis climb to the top; Istiklol clinch 15th title

Tehran: Persepolis’s six-match unbeaten streak saw them top the Iran Pro League for the first time this season as the league continues to see new challengers to Tractor’s FC crown.

FC Istiklol emerged Tajik League champions for the 12th consecutive time while FK Arkadag are just one match away from their third straight perfect Yokary Liga record.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.