AFC chief says Asia aims for historic achievement at World Cup

Asian national teams are heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with significant aspirations for a historic achievement, according to Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa. He stated that the continent's football development has laid a strong foundation for success on the global stage.

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Asian national teams head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with strong ambitions of achieving a historic milestone, reflecting the continent’s continued football development.

Al-Khalifa pointed to the impressive performances of Asian teams during the qualification campaign as evidence of their ability to compete at the highest level. He attributed this to their technical quality, discipline, fighting spirit, and continuous drive for improvement. These factors, he believes, pave the way for historic progress and solidify Asia's standing among leading football regions worldwide.

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the foundations for Asian success on the global stage are stronger than ever, following impressive performances by Asian teams throughout the qualification campaign.

The AFC chief emphasized that a record nine Asian teams qualifying for the 2026 World Cup serves as clear proof of the continent's rapid football development. He credited the efforts of national associations, clubs, players, and coaching staff for raising the overall standard of the game. Al-Khalifa expressed confidence that these teams will meet the expectations of fans across Asia.

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Asian sides have shown their ability to compete at the highest level through technical quality, discipline, fighting spirit, and a consistent drive for improvement.

Furthermore, Al-Khalifa praised Asia's growing influence in international refereeing, noting that 25 Asian match officials have been selected for the tournament. He described this as an acknowledgment of their professionalism and standing on the world stage. He concluded by expressing optimism for the success of the expanded 2026 World Cup and wished all Asian teams and referees success in achieving further milestones and strengthening Asia's global football presence.

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these achievements open the door for historic progress and further strengthen Asia’s position among the world’s leading football regions.