Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: On this day 80 years ago, the Dutch East Indies (present day Indonesia) made history by becoming the first Asian team to appear at the FIFA World Cup. the-AFC.com looks back at the achievement and how it helped shape football in the world’s largest continent.
Reims – On a typical summer day in June of 1938, the Dutch East Indies lined up in a first round match at the second edition of the FIFA World Cup against Hungary. The Hungarians’ 6-0 win over their opponents that day may have been straightforward, but the Asian side’s journey towards discovering their identity as a football team was anything but.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: After qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the fourth time in a row, Australia are set to battle against France, Denmark and Peru in Group C of Russia 2018, as they aim to qualify for the round of 16 for the second time in their history.
Australia first attempted to qualify for the FIFA World Cup ahead of England 1966, but fell to DPR Korea, losing 9-2 on aggregate. They came much closer to qualifying for the following tournament, but fell at the final hurdle, before finally making their debut in 1974. the-AFC.com looks back at the Socceroos' greatest World Cup moments.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: After qualifying for two consecutive editions of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history, Islamic Republic of Iran will aim to spring a major surprise in Russia, in a fiercely competitive Group B.
IR Iran are joined by 2010 FIFA World Cup winners Spain, 2016 European champions Portugal, as well as Morocco, who did not concede a single goal in six CAF qualifying group games. The Iranians will need to draw on past successes for inspiration, and we look back at their finest World Cup moments so far:
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With the best record of any Asian nation at the FIFA World Cup, Korea Republic will be expected to make waves in Russia this summer. Nine World Cup participations have thrown up many a memorable moment, and the-AFC.com recalls some of their best ones over the decades.
Making their FIFA World Cup debut as far back as 1954, when they finished bottom of Group 2, Korea Republic have qualified for a record 10 tournaments, including the upcoming edition in Russia. Here are their best moments in the World Cup so far:
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Japan will kick off their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign against Colombia on June 19, before taking on Senegal and Poland in their second and third Group H ties. The-AFC.com takes a look at the Samurai Blue’s top three moments at the World Cup so far.
Ever since making their debut at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, Japan have experienced many highs and lows over the years. Here are some of their best moments on the global stage in the five tournaments they have featured in since then:
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Having been drawn into Group A alongside hosts Russia, Uruguay and Egypt, Saudi Arabia will be looking to impress at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. the-AFC.com looks back at the Green Falcons' greatest moments on the world’s grandest stage.
Saudi Arabia made their World Cup bow in 1994 in the United States, and have only missed out on two editions since then, namely South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014. Here are the top three highlights of their four World Cup campaigns.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: There have been some classic combinations of colours and designs in the clothing Asia's football sides have worn on the world stage. With IR Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Korea Republic and Australia representing the continent at Russia 2018, we look back at five of their stand-out FIFA World Cup kits.
For football fans around the globe, a team’s kit often serves as an everlasting visual representation of certain memories. Nowhere is this truer than in the FIFA World Cup, where the four-year gap means kits usually change from one edition of the competition to the next.
Some kits have been immortalised due to their unique designs, while others remain forever associated with the team’s success.
Here are five unforgettable kits from the Continent’s representatives in this year’s World Cup. View them below and then pick your favourite .