Know Your Team: Australia

Mon, 17 Jun, 2024

Know Your Team: Australia

Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the AFC Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 takes place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 27.

Eighteen teams will be bidding to advance to the FIFA World Cup Finals 2026, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

As anticipation builds for the draw which will see several teams making their debuts at this stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers, the-AFC.com profiles the sides - beginning with Australia.

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Know Your Team: Bahrain

Mon, 17 Jun, 2024

Know Your Team: Bahrain

Kuala Lumpur: Having twice come within one match of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, Bahrain will be aiming to get it right when they compete in the AFC Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

One of the continent's performing teams in recent years, the West Asian side will fancy their chances of sealing one of the eight automatic spots available for the 2026 global showpiece.

#AsianQualifiers – MD5 & MD6 in Numbers

Thu, 13 Jun, 2024

#AsianQualifiers – MD5 & MD6 in Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ has concluded after an action-packed double-header which took place across the continent on June 6 and 11. 

As many as 18 nations booked a place in the next edition of the AFC Asian Cup, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia, as well as the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, so join the-AFC.com as we look back on some of the key stats and facts that caught the eye.

#AFCU20 Qualifiers - 5 Takeaways

Sun, 16 Jun, 2024

#AFCU20 Qualifiers - 5 Takeaways

Kuala Lumpur: The battle lines were drawn following the conclusion of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ 2025 Qualifiers draw on Thursday, which will see teams across the continent vying for coveted tickets to the Finals.

With the Qualifiers to be played between September 21 and 29, 2024, the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for with China PR scheduled to host the Finals. 

#AFCU17 Qualifiers - 5 things to know

Sun, 16 Jun, 2024

#AFCU17 Qualifiers - 5 things to know

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U17 Asian Cup™ 2025 Qualifiers draw was completed on Thursday with 43 teams finding out who they are battling for 15 available spots to the Finals with Saudi Arabia scheduled to host the tournament.

The-AFC.com takes you through the fascinating must-know facts ahead of the qualifiers that will be played in October.

Landmark AFC Women’s Champions League™ to kick off with 22 clubs

Fri, 14 Jun, 2024

Landmark AFC Women’s Champions League™ to kick off with 22 clubs

Kuala Lumpur: Heralding a new era of success and progress for women’s football in Asia, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed today the number of participating teams for the highly-anticipated inaugural season of the AFC Women’s Champions League™, which will get underway in August.

Twenty-two Member Associations (MAs) who have expressed interest in taking part will each be represented by one club for the landmark 2024/25 campaign of the showpiece, which was announced last August.

ASEAN Wrap: Maiden cup triumphs for Bangkok, BG Pathum; Leaders Nam Dinh held in Vietnam

Mon, 17 Jun, 2024

ASEAN Wrap: Maiden cup triumphs for Bangkok, BG Pathum; Leaders Nam Dinh held in Vietnam

Kuala Lumpur: Bangkok United got their hands on the Thai FA Cup for the very first time after they edged second division side Dragon Pathumwan Kanchanaburi in a penalty shootout on Saturday, while Teerasil Dangda emerged the hero as BG Pathum United edged Muangthong United 1-0 in the League Cup title clash the following day. 

Nam Dinh saw their lead at the top cut to four points in Vietnam after they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Ho Chi Minh City while second-placed Binh Dinh edged Hoang Anh Gia Lai 1-0 to register their third consecutive win in the V.League 1.
 
In Malaysia, PDRM were knocked out of the FA Cup by lower division side Malaysian University while there were also matches taking place in Singapore and the Philippines, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN.

Central & West Asia Wrap: Air Force Club lose ground; Nasaf suffer setback

Mon, 17 Jun, 2024

Central & West Asia Wrap: Air Force Club lose ground; Nasaf suffer setback

Kuala Lumpur: Air Force Club’s Iraq Stars League title hopes suffered a significant setback after the three-time AFC Cup™ winners suffered a 1-0 defeat to Zakho on Friday.

In Uzbekistan, Sogdiana’s upset win over FC Nasaf narrowed the gap at the top of the table while there was no stopping Abdysh-Ata Kant in the Kyrgyz League. Istiklol, meanwhile, consolidated their position in Tajikistan after registering their eighth consecutive victory.

The-AFC.com brings you up to date on the domestic action across Central and West Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Gangwon stay red-hot; Zelvia open up lead in Japan

Mon, 17 Jun, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Gangwon stay red-hot; Zelvia open up lead in Japan

Hong Kong: Gangwon FC recorded their fifth successive win in K League 1 after they defeated Suwon FC 3-1 on Saturday to move one point behind defending champions and leaders Ulsan Hyundai who continued their struggles, dropping points for the fifth time in last seven matches. 

In Japan, Machida Zelvia established a two-point lead at the top of the J1 League standings with an impressive 3-1 win against Yokohama F. Marinos while second-placed Kashima Antlers slipped up in a stalemate with 15th-placed Albirex Niigata on Sunday.

Leaders Shanghai Shenhua were held to a draw by Chengdu Rongcheng presenting defending champions Shanghai Port with a chance to go top in China PR, while matches also took place in Mongolia, Chinese Taipei, Macau and Guam, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.