LATEST NEWS - BFA

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. 

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.

Know Your Team: Bahrain

Mon, 17 Jun, 2024

Know Your Team: Bahrain

Kuala Lumpur: Having twice come within one match of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, Bahrain will be aiming to get it right when they compete in the AFC Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

One of the continent's performing teams in recent years, the West Asian side will fancy their chances of sealing one of the eight automatic spots available for the 2026 global showpiece.

#AFCU20 Qualifiers draw finalised

Thu, 13 Jun, 2024

#AFCU20 Qualifiers draw finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ 2025 Qualifiers concluded at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 45 teams were divided into 10 groups - five of four each and five of five each - with the Qualifiers to be played between September 21 and 29, 2024.

The 10 group winners and five best second-placed teams will advance to the Finals, with China PR scheduled to host the tournament.

#AFCU17 Qualifying groups decided

Thu, 13 Jun, 2024

#AFCU17 Qualifying groups decided

Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ 2025 Qualifiers was finalised at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 43 teams were divided into 10 groups - seven of four each and three of five - with the Qualifiers to be played between October 19 and 27, 2024.

The 10 group winners and five best second-placed teams will advance to the Finals, with Saudi Arabia scheduled to host the tournament.

UAE’s Bento warns against complacency

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

UAE’s Bento warns against complacency

Dubai: Despite finishing their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group H campaign unbeaten, head coach Paulo Bento has told United Arab Emirates to not rest on their laurels ahead of the next round.

Having already booked their place in the third round with two games to spare, UAE had to fight their way back to earn a 1-1 stalemate against Bahrain on Tuesday to end their campaign unbeaten.

Group H: Bahrain halt UAE's perfect run

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Group H: Bahrain halt UAE's perfect run

Dubai: The United Arab Emirates ended their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group H campaign unbeaten after playing out a 1-1 draw with Bahrain at Zabeel Stadium on Tuesday.

Both teams had already booked their place in the next round prior to the game, with the UAE confirmed to top the group with five wins from their previous five, and Bahrain finishing second.

Preview - Group H: United Arab Emirates v Bahrain; Yemen v Nepal

Mon, 10 Jun, 2024

Preview - Group H: United Arab Emirates v Bahrain; Yemen v Nepal

Dubai: United Arab Emirates will be aiming to maintain their perfect record when they meet Bahrain in Group H of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Both sides have already secured their places in the next round, with the result of Matchday Six causing no change in the standings, with UAE having a five-point lead.

Talajic hails Bahrain’s resilience

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Talajic hails Bahrain’s resilience

Riffa: Head coach Dragan Talajic expressed his delight after Bahrain secured the point they needed against Yemen in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group H tie on Thursday.

The point meant Bahrain confirmed their place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and booked a spot in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Finals.

Group H: Bahrain 0-0 Yemen

Mon, 10 Jun, 2024

Group H: Bahrain 0-0 Yemen

Riffa: Bahrain and Yemen played out a goalless draw at the Bahrain National Stadium in Group H of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

The result means Bahrain book their spot in Saudi Arabia 2027 and the third round of World Cup qualifiers ahead of their Matchday Six trip to the UAE, while Yemen finish third in the group regardless of their result against bottom placed Nepal in Dammam next Tuesday.

Preview - Group H: Nepal v United Arab Emirates; Bahrain v Yemen

Wed, 05 Jun, 2024

Preview - Group H: Nepal v United Arab Emirates; Bahrain v Yemen

Dammam: United Arab Emirates will be aiming to extend their winning run when they meet bottom placed Nepal in Group H of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday. 

Bahrain, meanwhile, will look to join UAE in the next phase of qualifying when they meet Yemen. 

West Asia Wrap: Al Sadd clinch 19th Amir Cup; titles decided in Kuwait, Jordan, UAE

Mon, 27 May, 2024

West Asia Wrap: Al Sadd clinch 19th Amir Cup; titles decided in Kuwait, Jordan, UAE

Doha: Mateus Uribe's dramatic 118th-minute goal secured 10-man Al Sadd a record-extending 19th Amir Cup victory following their 1-0 win over Qatar SC at the Education City Stadium on Friday.

Al Hussein tasted silverware for the first time after coming from behind to defeat Sahab SC 2-1 to lift their first Jordanian Pro League title while Al Wasl emerged champions in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait SC took the honours in Kuwait. .