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Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

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Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is the governing body of association football in Asia and Australia. It has 47 member countries, mostly located on the Asian and Australian continent. Australia, formerly in the OFC, joined the Asian Football Confederation in 2006, and the Oceanian island of Guam is also a member of AFC, in addition to Northern Mariana Islands. Hong Kong and Macau, although not independent countries are also members of the AFC. One of Fifa's six continental confederations, the AFC was formed officially on May 8, 1954 in Philippines. The main headquarters are located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The current president is Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa of Bahrain.
Greenlander Nils Nielsen led a rampant Japan to their third Asian title in four tournaments. Photo: AFP

Japan axe coach Nielsen 12 days after winning Women’s Asian Cup for ‘lacking passion’

Football association also said: ‘His coaching was a little too lax, a little too soft,’ the next full-time boss would likely be Japanese.

Fifa

Women’s Asian Cup finalists accuse governing body of ‘ignoring’ prize money pleas

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong coach Losada ends Asian Cup qualifiers with defeat and ‘mixed feelings’

Fifa

Fifa World Cup 2026: after travel ordeal, Iraq hope to secure Asia its 9th spot

Iraq coach Graham Arnold shielding players from Mideast war ahead of intercontinental play-off against Bolivia in Mexico on Tuesday.

The Iraq team, seen here training for their match against Bolivia on Tuesday, arrived in Monterrey on March 21 after a 25-hour journey. Photo: EPA
Fifa

World Cup: Italy hoping to scale Bosnian ‘Everest’, Kosovo on verge of history

Italian coach and fans feel weight of fears about missing out on a third straight World Cup while Kosovars are feeling the excitement.

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Asian Cup game against Hong Kong on, India says, despite team being locked out

Hosts’ press conference cancelled as Kerala Football Association has not paid stadium owners, but dead-rubber match ‘will proceed as planned’.

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AFC postpones draw for Saudi Asian Cup finals as Middle East conflict continues

Kingdom set to host tournament ‌for first time with 24 teams competing across three host cities in January and February.

Qatar are the defending champions ‌and have already secured their berth at the ⁠finals. Photo: AP
AFC Champions League

Asian Champions League Elite: Iran’s Tractor FC in line for Saudi quarter-final

Jeddah will host western zone play-offs rescheduled because of war in the Middle East on April 13-14, as well as tournament’s final stages.

Roberto Losada

Hong Kong football bosses scrambling for India flights after Nepal cancellation

City team’s preparation for final Asian Cup qualifier thrown into turmoil but phlegmatic head coach Roberto Losada keeping cool head.

Asian women’s football champions Japan need ‘different tools’ to win World Cup

Nils Nielsen says Japan, the only team from Asia to have won the world title, will need to keep improving if they want to do it again.

Japan’s England-based Maika Hamano (left) shoots and scores the winner in the final of the Women’s Asian Cup against Australia on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Women’s Asian Cup: Japan beat Australia in final to claim continental title

The decider culminated a landmark tournament with more than 350,000 fans through the turnstiles, six times as many as the previous record.

Japan’s Saki Kumagai (centre) and her teammates celebrate with the trophy. Photo: AP

Women’s Asian Cup: record crowds mask old issues of ⁠gender, wealth inequality

While attendance figures have been impressive, on the pitch the gap between the continent’s traditional powers and the rest remains stark.

Fifa

Football chiefs stopping bidding process to host 2031, 2035 Asian Cups

Several countries including Australia, Japan and South Korea had thrown their hats into the ring to stage both of the football tournaments.

Australia coach believes team able to ‘adapt’ in final against Japan

Saturday’s match at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium is a repeat of the 2014 and 2018 deciders, both of which the Matildas lost 1-0.

Australia’s head coach Joe Montemurro (left) and player Ellie Carpenter ahead of the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup final. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Philippines, North Korea win Asian Cup play-offs to reach 2027 Women’s World Cup

Two goals in five minutes send Filipinas into global tournament in Brazil, with North Koreans joining them after beating Chinese Taipei.

Jaclyn Sawicki (centre) celebrates after scoring the Philippines’ second against Uzbekistan in the Gold Coast. Photo: EPA

Japan thrash South Korea 4-1 to set up Women’s Asian Cup final with Australia

Coach Nils Nielsen says his side have played better despite their utterly dominant performance in Sydney.

Ante Milicic

Women’s Asian Cup: China coach says team on right track despite last 4 heartache

Ante Milicic says ‘brave’ team evolving ahead of next year’s World Cup in Brazil. Japan face South Korea in second semi-final on Wednesday.

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Women’s Asian Cup: Kerr’s stunner sends Australia into final, knocks China out

Matildas captain strikes semi-final winner from an ‌acute angle to send hosts through, Japan or South Korea await in final.

China’s players gesture to their supporters after the Women’s Asian Cup semi-final against Australia in Perth on Tuesday. Photo: AP
Rodrigo Holgado

Malaysia out of Asian Cup race after AFC overturns wins, hands down US$50,000 fine

Malaysia punished for fielding ineligible players; wins over Nepal and Vietnam converted into 3-0 forfeits.

Donald Trump

AFC has received no notification from Iran on World Cup withdrawal

Sports minister said it was impossible for the players to participate in the tournament after the US launched air strikes alongside ⁠Israel.

Ante Milicic

Women’s Asian Cup: ex-Australia coach ‘enjoying journey with China’

The 51-year-old Ante Milicic managed the Matildas in 2019-20, taking the team to the last 16 of the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France.

Ante Milicic joined China in 2024 after they failed ‌to qualify for the Paris Olympics. Photo: EPA

Women’s Asian Cup: Japan have no fears about defence before South Korea semi

Two-time champions have not let in any goals in four games while scoring 24, but in Sydney will face a strong team that have scored 16.

Japan’s Riko Ueki (number 9) heads past Philippines’ goalkeeper Nina Meollo in their 7-0 quarter-final win in Sydney on Sunday. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says women’s football captain has withdrawn Australia asylum bid

Zahra Ghanbari is the fifth member of the delegation to change her mind amid claims players had received threats against their families.

Ante Milicic

Women’s Asian Cup: ‘resilient’ China do not fear hosts, Japan smash Philippines

Holders meet Australia at 60,000-capacity Perth Stadium in Tuesday’s semi-final, while Japan will face South Korea in Sydney on Wednesday.

China and South Korea power into Women’s Asian Cup semis, book World Cup spots

Holders set up match with hosts Australia, while Chinese Taipei will vie with other ‌losing quarter-finalists ‌for two more World Cup places.

China’s Shao Ziqin (centre) scores her team’s first goal during the Women’s Asian Cup quarter-final against Chinese Taipei in Perth on Saturday. Photo: AP

Australia edge North Korea to reach Women’s Asian Cup semis, earn World Cup spot

Matildas outplayed by their youthful opponents but take their only chances, will face either holders China or Chinese Taipei in last four.

Australia’s Alanna Kennedy (right) scores her team’s first goal from the edge of the box in their Women’s Asian Cup quarter-final win over North Korea in Perth on Friday. Photo: AP
Ante Milicic

China coach calls for ‘calm’ in Asian Cup quarter-final with Chinese Taipei

Reigning champions bidding for record-extending 10th title but are wary of opponents who have shown improvement over the tournament.

Malaysia

Iranian women’s football team in Malaysia as video fuels new asylum claims

The video shows a man saying three Iranian players told Malaysian police they wanted to remain in the country. The claim has not been independently verified.

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