FIFA Council approves pan-Arab test tournament, extended international window in June 2021

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

FIFA Council approves pan-Arab test tournament, extended international window in June 2021

Zurich: The FIFA Council on Thursday gave its support for a "pan-Arab" invitational international competition in Qatar in 2021 which will test facilities to be used in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

In a statement, FIFA said the invitational competition for men's national teams will be contested by Arab nations from Africa and Asia.

It will involve home-based players only and be played outside the international match calendar. The tournament is scheduled for December 1-18, 2021.

It will be run by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the committee organising the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

"This will allow the organisers to use facilities and run operations that are also planned for the subsequent FIFA World Cup," FIFA said in a statement.

Asia’s Greatest FIFA World Cup Goals – Semi-final 1

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asia’s Greatest FIFA World Cup Goals – Semi-final 1

Kuala Lumpur: They are the goals that made entire nations roar. Every four years, the FIFA World Cup makes football the centrepiece of the world and ignites the hopes of millions of fans.

This June and July, the-AFC.com celebrates Asia’s contribution to the greatest show on earth by reliving 20 of the continent’s best FIFA World Cup goals.

Australia, New Zealand promise to deliver a spectacular show in 2023

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Australia, New Zealand promise to deliver a spectacular show in 2023

Sydney: Football Federation Australia (FFA) and New Zealand Football (NZF) are delighted their ground-breaking vision to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will be realised after being awarded the hosting rights by FIFA.

FFA and NZF thanked the FIFA Council for their landmark decision on Thursday, which will see the two countries host a tournament of firsts ─ the first ever co-confederation hosted FIFA World Cup, the first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in the Asia-Pacific region, and the first ever to be held in the southern hemisphere.

5 of the Best: Volleys

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

5 of the Best: Volleys

Kuala Lumpur: There's nothing quite like seeing a sweetly struck volley fly into the back of the net, and this week the-AFC.com shines the '5 of the Best' spotlight on these aesthetically pleasing goals. 

We've previously looked at free-kicks, long-range efforts, solo brilliance and acrobatic stunners, and our latest compilation will not disappoint. So here's five volleys to recall some of the best and most dramatic 'no bounce' strikes the AFC Cup has seen.

Don't forget to vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article!

Asian Icons: Ahmed Radhi (Iraq)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Icons: Ahmed Radhi (Iraq)

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian football family woke up on Sunday to the sad news of the passing away of Iraqi football legend Ahmed Radhi at the age of 56 after a short battle with COVID-19.

With a goal scoring record few strikers anywhere in Asia can match, Ahmed Radhi has earned his place amongst the continent’s elite in this latest edition of the-AFC.com’s ‘Asian Icons’ series.

Vote for your best Asian team at the FIFA World Cup: Midfielders

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your best Asian team at the FIFA World Cup: Midfielders

Kuala Lumpur: As the-AFC.com continues its quest to find out who you, the fans, regard as the finest Asian players to have starred at the FIFA World Cup by compiling an all-time Best XI, we turn our attention to the midfield positions. 

Having discovered who you view as the the best goalkeeper and the ideal candidates for the backline, we now shine the spotlight on the more attacking positions, with a star-studded cast for you to choose from, including world-renowned performers such as Park, Nakata and Honda.

So, review the nominees and then choose your favourite for this all-star XI in the poll below.

Vote for your best ACL2017 Team: Midfielders

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your best ACL2017 Team: Midfielders

Kuala Lumpur: As the-AFC.com continues to look back on the best performers from recent AFC Champions League campaigns, there is another star-studded cast on offer this week as we ask you, the fans, to name your best midfielders from the 2017 tournament. 

We began with the 2017 edition's best goalkeeper, next came the candidates for the backline and now it's time to shine the spotlight on the more attacking positions as we highlight the 10 standout candidates in midfield.

From Omar Abdulrahman to Paulinho, this list features some of the biggest talents in Asian football, so review the nominees and then choose your favourites for this all-star XI in the poll below.