Neymar returns for Al Hilal with cameo ACL role
October 22 – A year after rupturing his left ACL, Neymar returned to action with a second-half cameo in the Asian Champions League tie between Al Hilal and holders Al-Ain.
October 28 – Asia will crown its highest achievers in Seoul tomorrow (Tuesday) night with 21 awards that will include the men’s and women’s player of the year titles.
October 25 – After less than 15 months, Saudi Arabia have parted ways with manager Roberto Mancini after the ambitious footballing country’s national team failed to live up to expectations.
October 23 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced the line-up of speakers for its Presidents’ and General Secretaries’ Conference 2024, which will take place from October 30 to November 1 in Seoul, South Korea.
Iranian security fears force AFC to shifts Esteghal vs Al-Nassr ACL tie to Dubai
October 22 – Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League Elite match has been controversially moved from Iran to Dubai by the Asian Football Confederation due to security concerns.
Rexona agree 3-year deal with Saudi women’s team
October 21 – The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has announced a three-year partnership with Unilever’s Rexona, making the brand an official sponsor of the Saudi Arabia Women’s National Team.
AFC draws qualifying groups for covid-delayed Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025
October 18 – The AFC has drawn the groups for the 2025 Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 with 19 teams to play in four centralised locations January 11-19, 2025.
Inter Milan acquire license to market club in Saudi Arabia
October 17 – Italian Serie A holders Inter Milan have announced the acquisition of a Saudi Arabian Ministry of Investment (MISA) licence, formalising their commitment to a strategic expansion in Saudi Arabia to further extend the club brand presence in the Middle East and grow their fanbase.
Asian 2026 qualifying sees Uzbekistan, Iran, South Korea and Japan open up group leads
October 16 – The second international window of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup has seen old stagers and emerging nations stake a claim for a spot in the finals to be jointly held in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Neymar back at Al-Hilal and in line for return to Asian Champions League action next week
October 15 – After a year on the sidelines, one of the Saudi Pro League superstar players could finally be back on the pitch. Brazilian international, Neymar, who has been out injured since sustaining a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee while on international duty has returned to training with Al-Hilal.
AFC’s Academic Centre of Excellence launches new ‘Strategy and Planning’ course
October 15 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has added a new course to its range of educational training courses and qualifications run by its Academic Centre of Excellence (ACE).
AFC World Cup 2026 qualifying heats up with crucial fixtures, and it is only match day 3
October 9 – It is only the third match day of ten, but already the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup are reaching a crucial, must-win stage for some of the AFC’s established international nations.
AFC increases its firepower in fight against match-fixing with IBIA co-operation
October 7 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have signed a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) to combat match fixing in the Asian region.
FIFA Council decision expected to rule on Israel’s international football future today
October 3 – Is FIFA finally running out of patience with Israel? Following delay after delay over Palestinian demands for action, a decision on whether or not to suspend Israel from international football is set to be taken by the FIFA Council today.
AFC unveils nominees for 2023 Awards with Afif and Al Naimat replaying Asian Cup final
October 2 – Having battled against each other for their nations in the 2023 Asian Cup final in February, Jordanian striker Yazan Al Naimat and Qatar’s mercurial Arkram Afif will do battle again in the AFC’s Player of the Year awards.
