Hong Myung-bo defends return to South Korean team in front of parliament
September 25 – South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo has denied his appointment was the result of preferential treatment from the Korea Football Association (KFA).
September 30 – The inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League is poised for kickoff this week with three centralised groups of four clubs each open the group stage to qualify eight teams to the knock-out rounds.
September 26 – The Lebanese FA has indefinitely postponed all matches domestically in the wake of Israel’s attacks in southern Lebanon and rising fears of an all-out war.
September 26 – The AFC’s Associations Committee noted that 44 Member Associations and all five Regional Associations have either completed or are in the midst of finalising their Statutes Revision process.
AFC builds on record digital successes with roll out into new club competitions
September 25 – The AFC is committing to a deeper and more engaged digital engagement strategy for its new club competition following the record numbers achieved for its national team competitions this year.
North Korea’s women beat Japan to win record-equalling third U20 World Cup
September 23 – North Korea’s return to international football post-pandemic has been nothing short of spectacular with the defeat of Japan 1-0 in the final of the U-20 Women’s World Cup to claim the tournament for a third time.
Arnold quits Australia after poor start to 2026 qualifying
September 20 – After six years in charge, Graham Arnold has stepped down as Australia’s head coach ahead of their next World Cup qualifier in October.
Stefano Piolo heads to Saudi to take over misfiring Al Nassr
September 19 – Stefano Pioli will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s new boss after the Italian was named as Saudi club Al Nassr’s head coach Wednesday, replacing Luis Castro who parted ways with the club after a slow start to the season.
Al Nassr seek Castro replacement to coach misfiring Ronaldo, Mane and Laporte
September 18 – Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr is looking for yet another new coach after firing Luis Castro in the second managerial change since the Portuguese star’s arrival.
Saudi medical centre gains AFC medical centre of excellence recognition
September 18 – The AFC Medical Committee has approved Saudi Arabia’s Move Comprehensive Sports Medicine Centre as the latest AFC Medical Centre of Excellence at its third meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
South Korea’s Son Jun-ho says he was coerced into match-fixing confession by Chinese police
September 16 – South Korea’s Suwon FC are reported to have terminated international midfielder Son Jun-ho’s contract by mutual agreement after he was handed a lifetime ban by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) for his alleged involvement in match-fixing and bribery.
AFC launches Fantasy Football and prediction games for its major competitions
September 16 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has released a line-up of new digital interactions for the upcoming AFC Champions Elite season, headlined by a fantasy football app for the Champions League elite.
More teams, more matches, more opportunity. AFC revamps its women’s national team competition structures
September 13 – The AFC has released a set of reforms covering its women’s national team competitions that revamp the qualification pathways to their finals and World Cups.
Thailand’s BG Sports buys into AFC club and 2026 qualifiers with 5-year broadcast deal
September 13 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced a new five-year media partnership with BG Sports which will see them broadcast AFC club and national team matches in Thailand.
AFC agrees regional deal for talabat covering new club competitions
September 12 – On-demand food and Q-commerce app talabat has become an Official Regional Partner of the AFC’s new club competition eco-system.
