Al Qadsiah sign Nacho Fernandez from Real Madrid

Fri, 28 Jun, 2024

Al Qadsiah sign Nacho Fernandez from Real Madrid

Khobar: Al Qadsiah FC, promoted to the Saudi Pro League 2024/25 season, have signed defender Nacho Fernandez from Spanish champions Real Madrid.

In signing a two-year contract, Nacho ended his long association with the reigning UEFA Champions League winners, having been with the Spanish capital club since 2011.

Nacho, who is part of Spain’s Euro 2024 squad, was a serial winner with Real Madrid - lifting four La Liga titles, the UEFA Champions League six times as well as two Spanish Cup triumphs.

Australia's Arnold unfazed by challenging draw

Fri, 28 Jun, 2024

Australia's Arnold unfazed by challenging draw

Kuala Lumpur: Australia head coach Graham Arnold is confident the Socceroos can book a berth at a sixth consecutive FIFA World Cup Finals after his side were drawn to face Japan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China PR and Indonesia in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 on Thursday.

The six nations face off for a place in the 2026 Finals in Group C with the Japanese, Saudi Arabians and Australians renewing their rivalries after playing one another at the same stage of the preliminaries for the both the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

On the most recent occasion, Saudi Arabia won the group with Japan taking the second automatic qualifying berth at the Finals while Australia advanced after progressing through the Intercontinental Playoff with a penalty shoot-out victory over Peru in Doha.

Road to 26: What they said

Thu, 27 Jun, 2024

Road to 26: What they said

Kuala Lumpur: The stage is set for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 following the draw in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

With Asia assured of eight spots and a possible ninth through a playoff, the action promises to be exciting. The-AFC.com highlights what the teams had to say after the draw.

Asian hopefuls learn Road to 26 challengers

Thu, 27 Jun, 2024

Asian hopefuls learn Road to 26 challengers

Kuala Lumpur: The continent's path to the FIFA World Cup 2026 was finalised following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup 26 Preliminary Draw – AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road To 26 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 18 teams were divided into three groups, with eight confirmed berths and a possible additional spot via a playoff available for Asia at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Kyrgyz Republic, Indonesia and Palestine are making their debuts at this stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.

Road to 26: All you need to know

Thu, 27 Jun, 2024

Road to 26: All you need to know

Kuala Lumpur: The FIFA World Cup 26 Preliminary Draw – AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road To 26 concluded in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The eighteen teams were divided into three groups for what promises to be a thrilling campaign.

The-AFC.com breaks down all that you need to know about the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road To 26.

Asia at the FIFA World Cup: 2002-2022

Wed, 26 Jun, 2024

Asia at the FIFA World Cup: 2002-2022

Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26™ will be held on Thursday with a record eight automatic places and an additional spot via the Inter-Confederation playoff on offer for Asia at the FIFA World Cup 2026 hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. 

Having looked at Asia's best moments in the global showpiece from its inception up until 1998 ahead of the draw, the-AFC.com now turns its attention to the World Cups held in the new millennium to see how the Asian representatives performed in the competition, starting with the historic 2002 tournament. 

How They Got Here: Part 3

Wed, 26 Jun, 2024

How They Got Here: Part 3

Kuala Lumpur: The FIFA World Cup will return to the continent of North America for the first time since 1994 when Canada, Mexico and the United States host the global showpiece event in two years’ time.

Asia will have a record number of automatic spots on offer with up to nine teams having the chance to qualify. Eighteen nations have successfully navigated Round Two of the qualification stage, with the Round Three draw fast approaching on Thursday.

Ahead of the draw to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the-AFC.com throws the spotlight on the final six teams in this three-part series that were placed in Group G, H and I in the second round.

Casas confident Iraq can end long wait

Wed, 26 Jun, 2024

Casas confident Iraq can end long wait

Kuala Lumpur: By the time the FIFA World Cup kicks off in 2026 it will have been 40 years since Iraq made their first – and so far only – appearance at the Finals. Ahead of Thursday's FIFA World Cup 26™ Preliminary Draw – AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road To 26, head coach Jesus Casas is confident he can help end the West Asian nation’s lengthy drought.

The names of Ahmed Rahdi, Raad Hammoudi and Hussein Saeed are etched indelibly into Iraq’s football folklore, sitting proudly alongside the rest of the 22-man squad that represented the nation on their debut FIFA World Cup appearance in Mexico in 1986.

Such was the country’s status within Asian football at the time, few would have predicted that almost four decades later Iraq would not have made a return visit to the FIFA World Cup Finals.