AFC and beIN MEDIA GROUP extend 2022 coverage with AFC Champions League™ and AFC Cup™ in various MENA territories

Tue, 05 Apr, 2022

AFC and beIN MEDIA GROUP extend 2022 coverage with AFC Champions League™ and AFC Cup™ in various MENA territories

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and beIN MEDIA GROUP (“beIN”) have agreed to extend the portfolio of rights to be broadcast by its flagship channel, beIN SPORTS, in certain territories in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) for the 2022 season to now include rights to the AFC Champions League™ and AFC Cup™.

The agreement grants beIN SPORTS the rights in MENA, excluding Iraq, the Islamic Republic of Iran, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. beIN’s exclusive territories include Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. In addition, beIN SPORTS has the non-exclusive broadcast rights in the following territories: Chad, Djibouti, Mauritania, Somalia and Sudan. 

AFC Champions League™ 2022 (WEST) - Star Names

Tue, 05 Apr, 2022

AFC Champions League™ 2022 (WEST) - Star Names

Riyadh: Over the years, the AFC Champions League™ has attracted some iconic names, both from across Asia and beyond, and the latest edition of the competition brings together an unprecedented number of star players.

With the start of the group stage action in the West drawing ever closer, the-AFC.com takes a look at some of the star names that will be on show in Saudi Arabia. 

Santi Cazorla of Al Sadd and Bernard of Sharjah look to make an impact on their second appearance, but each of James Rodriguez, Odion Ighalo, Ever Banega and Toby Alderweireld will be making their debuts for Al Rayyan, Al Hilal, Al Shabab and Al Duhail respectively.

AFC Champions League™ 2022 (WEST) - The Host Cities

Tue, 05 Apr, 2022

AFC Champions League™ 2022 (WEST) - The Host Cities

Riyadh: For the first time in the AFC Champions League™ history, the centralised group stage will take place across four cities in one country, with Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Buraidah hosting west games between 7th and 27th of April.

Over the past three years, and in an effort to ensure continuity of Asia’s premier club competition despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the AFC held the 2020 edition in a centralised format in Qatar, with the cities of Doha and Al Wakrah hosting the games.

Last year, hosting rights for group stage matches were divided between Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and India for the West, while Uzbekistan and Thailand hosted games in the East. Ahead of kick-off of the 2022 edition, the-AFC.com profiles the four host cities of West groups.

Al Shabab's Banega relishing the challenge of facing big AFC Champions League clubs

Tue, 29 Mar, 2022

Al Shabab's Banega relishing the challenge of facing big AFC Champions League clubs

Riyadh: One of the biggest names gearing up for the AFC Champions League™ 2022, Al Shabab FC midfielder Ever Banega has already stamped his mark on the Saudi Pro League and is now looking to take his influence to the continental stage.

Ahead of Al Shabab’s return to Asian football after seven years of absence, the-afc.comsat with the former Argentine international to discuss his past, future, and everything in between.

Group by Group Preview: AFC Champions League™ 2022 (WEST)

Tue, 05 Apr, 2022

Group by Group Preview: AFC Champions League™ 2022 (WEST)

Riyadh: As we enter the month of April, the AFC Champions League™ 2022 is set to kick-off in a few days’ time starting with matches in the West, with the five groups taking place in Saudi Arabia.

From venues, to past encounters, to the players set to make in an impact in 2022, the-AFC.com profiles each of the five groups.

AFC Cup 2022™ Group I to be held in Vietnam

Fri, 04 Mar, 2022

AFC Cup 2022™ Group I to be held in Vietnam

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today confirmed the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) as the host Member Association for the AFC Cup 2022™ Group I centralised matches scheduled to take place from June 24 to 30.

Ho Chi Minh City will provide the stage for Group I contenders Vietnam’s Viettel FC, Hougang United from Singapore, Phnom Penh Crown FC of Cambodia and Young Elephants FC from Laos.

AFC Cup winner Kdouh dreams of AFC Champions League place with Al Zawraa

Tue, 01 Mar, 2022

AFC Cup winner Kdouh dreams of AFC Champions League place with Al Zawraa

Baghdad: Three years after leading his childhood club Al Ahed to AFC Cup glory, Lebanese international forward Mohammed Kdouh is eyeing a spot amongst the continent’s top clubs having joined Iraqi powerhouse Al Zawraa.

With the Baghdad based side preparing to face Sharjah FC in the 2022 AFC Champions League playoff on March 16, Kdouh spoke to the-AFC.com about his ambitions for club and country.