News

#AsianQualifiers - Match Predictor: Impressive away displays and what’s up next!

Sat, 09 Nov, 2024

#AsianQualifiers - Match Predictor: Impressive away displays and what’s up next!

Kuala Lumpur: The 18 nations vying for Asia’s places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are all set to return to action for Matchdays 5 and 6 of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 with the next rounds of fixtures to take place on November 14 and 19.  

As the teams reach the midway point of the third round of qualifiers, we shine the spotlight on some of the key talking points from Matchdays 3 and 4 as well as look forward to some of the key upcoming games. 

But before we get to all the fun, remember to sign up to the ‘Free-to-Play’ AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Match Predictor. Here’s your chance to compete against friends, show off your knowledge and win exclusive prizes along the way. Join now: (https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/predictor.html).  

#AsianQualifiers - Matchday 5: How it stands

Sat, 09 Nov, 2024

#AsianQualifiers - Matchday 5: How it stands

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 returns with Matchday Five to be played on Thursday and Friday.

With the Qualifiers fast reaching the business end, there is still everything to play for so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the groups stand ahead of the next round of matches. 

Renard returns as Saudi Arabia head coach

Sun, 27 Oct, 2024

Renard returns as Saudi Arabia head coach

Riyadh: The Saudi Arabia Football Federation confirmed Herve Renard's return as head coach to replace Roberto Mancini on Saturday.

Frenchman Renard succeeds the Italian after a spell in charge of France's women football team.

Saudi Arabia part ways with Mancini

Fri, 25 Oct, 2024

Saudi Arabia part ways with Mancini

Riyadh: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) said it was ending the contract of national coach Roberto Mancini after 14 months in the job on Thursday.

SAFF has reached a mutual agreement to terminate the contract of Mancini, 59, who signed a deal until 2027 in August last year, a statement said.

Latest update on AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26

Mon, 21 Oct, 2024

Latest update on AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed today that the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A matches between DPR Korea and the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as DPR Korea and Uzbekistan, will take place at the Lao National Stadium KM16, Vientiane, Laos (neutral venue).

The match between DPR Korea and Islamic Republic of Iran is scheduled for November 14, while DPR Korea play Uzbekistan on November 19, 2024. Both matches will kick off at 1900 hours local time.

#AsianQualifiers: Vote for your best goal of Matchdays 3 & 4

Sat, 19 Oct, 2024

#AsianQualifiers: Vote for your best goal of Matchdays 3 & 4

Kuala Lumpur: After the conclusion of Matchdays Three and Four of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26, we look back at some of the best goals from across the continent. 

From long-range screamers to fabulous team moves and acrobatic efforts, the goals flowed over the past two rounds of fixtures and now it’s time for you, the fans, to vote for your favourite.  

#AsianQualifiers - MD4: 5 Takeaways

Fri, 18 Oct, 2024

#AsianQualifiers - MD4: 5 Takeaways

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Four of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 was an eventful affair with significant developments.

Several teams remain well on course for the FIFA World Cup 2026 while the hopes of some suffered a setback and the-AFC.com highlights five interesting takeaways with the teams to resume their campaigns on November 14.

Latest update on AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26

Fri, 18 Oct, 2024

Latest update on AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed today that the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group B match on November 19, 2024, between Palestine and the Korea Republic will be played at the Amman International Stadium in Amman, Jordan (neutral venue).

The match will kick off at 1700 hours local time.

AFC statement on AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26

Fri, 18 Oct, 2024

AFC statement on AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has been made aware of the concerns raised by the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) regarding the safety and security of their national team ahead of their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group C away match against Indonesia scheduled for March 25, 2025.

The AFC takes these concerns seriously and is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all players, officials, and fans, while condemning all forms of online abuse and threats.

Jordan’s Sellami attributes huge result to lessons well learnt

Thu, 17 Oct, 2024

Jordan’s Sellami attributes huge result to lessons well learnt

Amman: Head coach Jamal Sellami admitted the lessons learnt from their defeat to Korea Republic paved the way for Jordan to register a resounding 4-0 win over Oman in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group B tie on Tuesday.

Jordan went into the match looking to bounce back after losing 2-0 to Korea Republic on Thursday while Oman were on a high after a comprehensive 4-0 defeat of Kuwait but braces from Yazan Al Naimat and Ali Alwan saw Sellami's team move up to seven points in the standings. 

Lisitsyn, Kichin delighted as Kyrgyz Republic clinch first points

Thu, 17 Oct, 2024

Lisitsyn, Kichin delighted as Kyrgyz Republic clinch first points

Bishkek: Head coach Maksim Lisitsyn and captain Valerii Kichin were overjoyed after Kyrgyz Republic put in a determined performance to clinch their first win of their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 campaign on Tuesday.

Khristiian Brauzmann’s 11th minute strike ultimately separated the two sides following a keenly-fought contest at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium as Kyrgyz Republic ended a three-match losing streak while DPR Korea remained in search of a first victory.

Mixed emotions for Palestine’s Daboub, Kuwait’s Pizzi

Thu, 17 Oct, 2024

Mixed emotions for Palestine’s Daboub, Kuwait’s Pizzi

Doha: It was a case of mixed emotions for Palestine and Kuwait after their pulsating 2-2 draw in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 on Tuesday.

Palestine head coach Makram Daboub was overjoyed after his side snatched a share of the spoils thanks to Zeid Qunbar’s goal in the third minute of added time to pick up only their second point while his Kuwaiti counterpart Juan Antonio Pizzi was disappointed that his team allowed victory to slip away.