Asia’s hopefuls primed for final stretch on Road to 26

Fri, 30 Aug, 2024

Asia’s hopefuls primed for final stretch on Road to 26

Kuala Lumpur: The finishing line is in sight for 18 of the Continent’s national teams as they prepare to resume their qualifying journey for the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

Scheduled to run until June 2025, the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 features three groups of six teams and guarantees qualification to the 23rd FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the top two finishers of each group. Two more berths are available via the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoff, with an additional opportunity up for grabs at an InterContinental Playoff.

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Youngster Yang gets Korea Republic call-up

Tue, 27 Aug, 2024

Youngster Yang gets Korea Republic call-up

Seoul: Premier League-bound teenage winger Yang Min-hyeok has been named in Hong Myung-bo's 26-man squad ahead of Korea Republic’s AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 qualifiers against Palestine and Oman next month.

The selection marks the latest milestone for the fast-rising 18-year-old, who will join Tottenham Hotspur from current K League 1 leaders Gangwon FC in January.

Buoyant Ivankovic confident of China PR's chances

Fri, 09 Aug, 2024

Buoyant Ivankovic confident of China PR's chances

Kuala Lumpur: Qualification for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 has given football a major boost in China PR says national team boss Branko Ivankovic as he prepares his squad for the next step in the journey towards the 2026 Finals.

By the narrowest of margins, China PR squeezed into the third phase of Asia’s qualifying rounds for the FIFA World Cup; after four high-stakes games in March and June, Branko Ivankovic’s side pipped Thailand on head-to-head record to a berth in the next round.

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.