Bahrain aim to surprise

Fri, 28 Jun, 2024

Bahrain aim to surprise

Kuala Lumpur: Bahrain may be the odd ones out but the West Asian side are determined to secure a long-awaited FIFA World Cup berth following the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 draw on Thursday.

Drawn in Group C, Bahrain found themselves alongside Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China PR and Indonesia  - with all five opponents having featured at least once in the global showpiece. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/highlights_fifa_world_cup_26_preliminary_draw__afc_asian_qualifiers_-_road_to_26_official_draw.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/video/asian_qualifiers_road_to_26_|_group_c_reaction.html

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Asia at the FIFA World Cup: 1930-1998

Tue, 25 Jun, 2024

Asia at the FIFA World Cup: 1930-1998

Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 is fast approaching as 18 sides continue their quests to reach the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States and carry forward the continent's legacy in the global showpiece. 

Ahead of the draw, the-AFC.com takes a trip down memory lane to find out how the 12 Asian representatives to have previously been to the World Cup have performed – beginning the first of two parts by looking at the editions from its inception in 1930 to the one hosted by France in 1998. 

AFC and Molten unveil Official Match Ball for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26

Tue, 25 Jun, 2024

AFC and Molten unveil Official Match Ball for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and global sports equipment manufacturer Molten, Official Global Partner of the AFC’s national team and club competitions, have unveiled today the Official Match Ball that will be used exclusively for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26, taking place from September 2, 2024 to November 18, 2025.

Molten will supply the “AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26” model of their 5th generation Vantaggio for the highly anticipated decisive stages of the Confederation’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which is set to feature the Continent’s top 18 national teams.

How They Got Here: Part 2

Tue, 25 Jun, 2024

How They Got Here: Part 2

Kuala Lumpur: Eighteen nations from across the continent will compete for automatic qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 during the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 – the draw for which will take place on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

A record number of eight tickets are on offer for Asia at the global showpiece to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, and the contenders will be split into three groups of six teams for the next phase of the Asian Qualifiers, with a ninth side also standing a chance to qualify through the Inter-Confederation playoffs.

With the date for the draw fast approaching, the-AFC.com takes a look back at how the sides from Group D, E and F of the second round made it through to the next stage. 

How They Got Here: Part 1

Mon, 24 Jun, 2024

How They Got Here: Part 1

Kuala Lumpur: With the draw for the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26™ set to take place on June 27, the-AFC.com looks back at how the teams reached the third round of the qualifying campaign. 

A total of 18 sides will be split across three groups, with six teams set to advance directly to the global showpiece in Canada, Mexico and the United States, and a further six to progress to the next stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.
 
Asia has a record eight automatic places up for grabs at the FIFA World Cup, with one more team to get the chance of being the continent’s ninth participant via the Inter-Confederation playoffs.
 
Ahead of the draw, there is all to play for in what promises to be a thrilling next phase of qualifying. Here’s how the six sides from Groups A to C of the previous round got to this stage.