كأس العالم - الصور

Pizzi takes charge of Kuwait

Thu, 18 Jul, 2024

Pizzi takes charge of Kuwait

Kuwait City: Kuwait Football Association (KFA) has announced the appointment of Juan Antonio Pizzi as the men’s national team head coach.

Spaniard Pizzi took over the role vacated by Rui Bento after the Portuguese helped Kuwait return to the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time since the 2006 edition.

Hong Myung-bo named Korea Republic head coach

Mon, 08 Jul, 2024

Hong Myung-bo named Korea Republic head coach

Seoul: Former coach and captain Hong Myung-bo will return to guide Korea Republic's national men's football team, the governing body said on Sunday, five months after the dismissal of Jurgen Klinsmann.

"We have signed Hong as our next national team head coach," a spokesman for the Korea Football Association (KFA) said.

Group C: 5 Takeaways

Wed, 03 Jul, 2024

Group C: 5 Takeaways

Kuala Lumpur: Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 will see five of the six teams aiming to reach the FIFA World Cup Finals for - at the very least - a second time.

Ahead of what will surely be thrilling affairs, the-AFC.com takes a look at some key facts and figures.

Group B: 5 Takeaways

Tue, 02 Jul, 2024

Group B: 5 Takeaways

Kuala Lumpur: Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 promises fascinating duels as the six teams look to book a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026, to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Ahead of the action kicking off on September 5, the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures from the group, which will feature Korea Republic, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine and Kuwait.

Rui Bento steps down as Kuwait head coach

Tue, 02 Jul, 2024

Rui Bento steps down as Kuwait head coach

Kuwait City: Kuwait Football Association announced the departure of head coach Rui Bento on Tuesday.

The Portuguese, who took over the helm in 2022, leaves his post having helped Kuwait return to the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time since the 2006 edition.

Group A: 5 Takeaways

Fri, 28 Jun, 2024

Group A: 5 Takeaways

Kuala Lumpur: Thursday's FIFA World Cup 26 Preliminary Draw – AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road To 26 produced some fascinating outcomes.

As the 18 teams start preparing for the action to kick off on September 5, the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts, starting with Group A.

Road to 26: Six matches to look out for

Fri, 28 Jun, 2024

Road to 26: Six matches to look out for

Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road To 26 held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday has produced a string of encounters over the upcoming months that Asian football fans can look forward to with great excitement.

Eighteen nations were divided into three groups, with eight confirmed places and a possible additional spot via a playoff on offer for Asia at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

With the draw setting up several high-profile clashes in the next phase of the qualifiers beginning September 5, the-AFC.com takes a look at six such matches that stand out during the early stages of the AFC Asian Qualifiers third round.

Palestine’s Daboub gears up for ‘difficult’ campaign

Sun, 30 Jun, 2024

Palestine’s Daboub gears up for ‘difficult’ campaign

Kuala Lumpur: Palestine head coach Makram acknowledged that his side were dealt a tough hand on Thursday, following the draw for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26.

The West Asians were placed in Group B alongside Korea Republic, Iraq, Jordan, Oman and Kuwait for the third round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying, with direct slots on offer to the top two finishers of each of the three groups.

Uzbekistan on mission to realise FIFA World Cup dream

Fri, 28 Jun, 2024

Uzbekistan on mission to realise FIFA World Cup dream

Kuala Lumpur: Uzbekistan are clear on their objectives after being placed in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 with team manager Sherzod Igamberdiev eyeing a successful campaign.

Kicking off their bid for a first appearance on the global stage with a home tie DPR Korea on September 5, Uzbekistan will also have to contend with Islamic Republic of Iran, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Kyrgyz Republic to grab one of the two automatic spots from the group to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Ivankovic urges China PR to believe

Sun, 30 Jun, 2024

Ivankovic urges China PR to believe

Kuala Lumpur: Branko Ivankovic wants his China PR squad to go into the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 believing they can compete with the other nations in Group C as the country attempts to secure a berth in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The Chinese have not qualified for the FIFA World Cup Finals since making their debut appearance in Japan and Korea Republic in 2002 and Ivankovic’s side have been handed a tough task after being drawn against Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Indonesia.

But after turning the nation’s qualifying campaign around in their last four matches in the second phase when he replaced Aleksandar Jankovic as coach in February, the experienced Croatian is confident his team can make an impact along the road to the Finals.

Qatar primed for historic mission

Sun, 30 Jun, 2024

Qatar primed for historic mission

Kuala Lumpur: Qatar will leave no stone unturned in their bid to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, said technical director Tim Cahill. 

Seeking to qualify for the global showpiece on merit after having made their debut as hosts of the 2022 edition, Qatar were drawn in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road To 26 on Thursday.

The two-time AFC Asian Cup™ champions will face Islamic Republic of Iran, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic and DPR Korea in what promises to be an enthralling campaign. 

Ghalenoei: IR Iran can draw confidence from past results

Sat, 29 Jun, 2024

Ghalenoei: IR Iran can draw confidence from past results

Kuala Lumpur: Having emerged from the second round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ with an unbeaten record, the Islamic of Republic of Iran will be aiming to continue their impressive form when the next stage kicks off in September.

The second-highest ranked Asian side in the FIFA rankings at 20, IR Iran are seeking a seventh FIFA World Cup appearance and head coach Amir Ghalenoei is optimistic about qualification despite being drawn in a tough Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 on Thursday.