Japan remain Asia’s best

Thu, 20 Jul, 2023

Japan remain Asia’s best

Kuala Lumpur: Japan will head into the Joint Qualification of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ draw as the continent's highest ranked team.

The Samurai Blue remain unchanged at 20 in the latest FIFA World Ranking released on Thursday.

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#FIFAWWC: 6 things to look out for

Mon, 17 Jul, 2023

#FIFAWWC: 6 things to look out for

Kuala Lumpur: The wait for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 is finally over with the opening game between co-hosts New Zealand and Norway set to kick off in a matter of hours. 

Australia will get Asia’s participation underway shortly after when they take on the Republic of Ireland later in the day, before Japan, China PR, Vietnam, the Philippines and Korea Republic open their campaigns in the coming days. 
 
Ahead of the biggest and most hyped FIFA Women’s World Cup yet, the-AFC.com highlights six things to look out for. 

Preview - Group B: Australia v Republic of Ireland

Wed, 19 Jul, 2023

Preview - Group B: Australia v Republic of Ireland

Sydney: Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson was giving nothing away ahead of the Matildas’ opening game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 against Ireland on Thursday as the co-hosts look to make a positive start at a sold-out Stadium Australia.

The majority of the 80,000 crowd will be backing the Australians to kick off their challenge in Group B with a win over Vera Pauw’s side but, while Gustavsson conceded he knows the players he hopes to start and finish the game with, he refused to reveal his intentions.

Iconic trio to oversee FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 opener

Wed, 19 Jul, 2023

Iconic trio to oversee FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 opener

Auckland: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s efforts to provide Asian match officials with the best resources to perform on the world’s highest stages marked another milestone when the Japanese trio of Yoshimi Yamashita, Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi were appointed to officiate the opening match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.

The Group A match between co-hosts New Zealand and Norway at Auckland’s Eden Park Stadium on Thursday is set to kick off at 7pm local time.

Bayern sign Kim Min-jae from Napoli

Wed, 19 Jul, 2023

Bayern sign Kim Min-jae from Napoli

Berlin: Bayern Munich on Tuesday signed Korea Republic defender Kim Min-jae from Italian champions Napoli.

Bayern said the 26-year-old was joining on a five-year contract but did not give the transfer fee.
 
Kim joined Napoli last summer and anchored the defence as they won Serie A.

Lens captain Fofana heads for Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr

Wed, 19 Jul, 2023

Lens captain Fofana heads for Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr

Lille: Lens captain Seko Fofana confirmed on Tuesday he has accepted an offer to join Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.

"I leave you with the feeling of accomplishment and pride at being a part of this history which is ours," Fofana, 28, wrote in a farewell video posted on Instagram.

#FIFAWWC: Six Asian Stars

Tue, 18 Jul, 2023

#FIFAWWC: Six Asian Stars

Sydney: With excitement building ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on some of the Asian stars who could emerge as heroes for their countries in the weeks ahead. 

A record six nations will represent Asia at the 2023 edition and the hope is that some of the continent’s players will leave their mark on the tournament in the way that others – such as Japan’s Homare Sawa and China PR’S Sun Wen – have done before them.
 
As the big kick-off draws ever nearer, we’ve picked out six Asian stars who could inspire their national teams at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.