The AFC Women’s Asian Cup is more than just a competition for continental glory — it’s a global stage where the sport’s next generation announces itself to the world. For decades, Asia has produced phenomenal talent, from early legends like Homare Sawa and Wang Liping to modern stars like Saki Kumagai and Wang Shuang. But as the 2026 edition in Australia approaches (March 1–21), a new crop of emerging footballers — teenagers, young internationals and breakout performers — are poised to shape the tournament’s narrative. With continental qualification concluded and squads named, analysts, scouts, and fans alike are excited about a wave of rising players who could elevate their nations and influence the future of the women’s game. In this deep dive — extending beyond star veterans and headline names — we focus on the rising talents, their stories, skills, roles, and why the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup may be their breakout moment on Asia’s grandest stage. Choe Il-son (North Korea) — The Ne...
For his part, defender El Hilali has so far had a successful campaign.
The youthful player, who started all but one of Espanyol's La Liga games, has actually made a name for himself as one of the first names on manager Manolo González's team sheet thanks to his position at right-back.
However, as previously mentioned, if circumstances had been somewhat different, such brilliance might have been displayed in the colors of one of the top teams in Spanish football.
El Hilali stated last week in an interview with Diario AS, which Mundo Deportivo quoted, that when he was a young player, he rejected Barcelona's offers in favor of Espanyol:
"I had the option to choose between Barça and Espanyol, and I decided on Espanyol because I felt that was the only option and because my family thought it was the best option for me—it was the athletic endeavor that I desired." And now that I am living my goal, I believe I made the right decision.
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