Moriyasu wants Japan to stay sharp

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Moriyasu wants Japan to stay sharp

Hiroshima: Head coach Hajime Moriyasu wants Japan to remain on their toes following their 5-0 win over Syria which ensured his side finished the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with a perfect record.

Japan concluded their campaign with six straight wins and no goals conceded but Moriyasu knows the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers will be much more challenging and expects his players to remain sharp.

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Cuper parts ways with Syria

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Cuper parts ways with Syria

Tokyo: Hector Cuper has announced his resignation as head coach of the Syria national team after a 5-0 defeat to Japan in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ tie on Tuesday.

The 68-year-old Argentine, a former centre-back who had coaching spells in Argentina, Europe and West Asia, leaves his post with immediate effect having taken over from Hussam Al Sayed in February 2023.

Ivankovic: China PR must work hard to move up to next level

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Ivankovic: China PR must work hard to move up to next level

Seoul: It wasn’t the result that China PR wanted from their final Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group C match against Korea Republic but head coach Branko Ivankovic was relieved that their main goal was still achieved.

The 1-0 defeat made for a nervous wait with focus shifting to Thailand’s match against Singapore but the Southeast Asian side, needing to win by three clear goals, fell just short in a  3-1 victory, enabling China PR to seal a spot in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and a place at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals.

Arnold reminds Australia to avoid 2022 tribulation

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Arnold reminds Australia to avoid 2022 tribulation

Perth: Head coach Graham Arnold sounded a warning even as Australia signed off from the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with a 5-0 win over Palestine on Tuesday. 

The victory meant a perfect campaign of six wins, with 22 goals scored and none conceded but Arnold was quick to remind his squad of the similar situation they had been in for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, with Australia ultimately booking their place in the Finals through playoffs.

Third round cast finalised

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Third round cast finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Tuesday with five teams joining 13 others in the next stage.

Kuwait (Group A), DPR Korea (Group B), China PR (Group C), Kyrgyz Republic (Group D) and Indonesia (Group F) were the final five sides to book their spots in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and confirm their tickets to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals after Matchday Six. 

Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic and Palestine will be making their debuts in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. 

Round 2 - MD6: Results & Reports

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Round 2 - MD6: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ concluded on Tuesday with five teams booking their spots.

Kuwait (Group A), DPR Korea (Group B), China PR (Group C), Kyrgyz Republic (Group D) and Indonesia (Group F) joined Korea Republic, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Palestine, Qatar, Japan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Uzbekistan, Iraq, United Arab Emirates and Australia in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals.

Stay updated on all the reaction with the-AFC.com.

AFC President praises Asian teams for sealing AFC Asian Qualifiers™ Round 3 and Saudi Arabia 2027 spots

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

AFC President praises Asian teams for sealing AFC Asian Qualifiers™ Round 3 and Saudi Arabia 2027 spots

Kuala Lumpur: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has congratulated the 18 Participating Teams for securing their places in Round 3 of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ for the FIFA World Cup 2026 as well as the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

On a riveting showdown of qualifying action, China PR, DPR Korea, Indonesia, Kuwait and Kyrgyz Republic joined Matchday Five qualifiers’ Bahrain, Jordan, Korea Republic, Oman, Palestine and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday after Australia, Iraq, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan had earlier confirmed their spots after Matchday Four in March this year.