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Referees - Latest News

AFC-UEFA partnership to drive refereeing excellence

Fri, 13 Feb, 2026

AFC-UEFA partnership to drive refereeing excellence

Limassol: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recently concluded a high-level strategic meeting with the UEFA Referees Department in Limassol, Cyprus, reaffirming a shared commitment to strengthening global officiating standards through structured cooperation, technical exchange, and long-term development initiatives.

The meeting saw the establishment of a structured framework for enhanced technical cooperation aimed at continuously strengthening refereeing structures, governance models and performance standards across competitions at all levels.

AFC Video Match Officials Selection Course 2026 reinforces standards

Sun, 08 Feb, 2026

AFC Video Match Officials Selection Course 2026 reinforces standards

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Video Match Officials (VMO) Selection Course 2026 drew to an end on Friday in Kuala Lumpur, marking yet another step forward in the Confederation’s continuous efforts to enhance officiating standards on the Continent.

Conducted as part of the selection process to evaluate officials for potential appointment in future AFC competitions, the course involved 18 VMOs newly-registered on the FIFA List for 2026, including seven officials from the AFC Referee Academy.

AFC Referee Academy Educators reinforce craft at in-depth workshop

Mon, 22 Dec, 2025

AFC Referee Academy Educators reinforce craft at in-depth workshop

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Referee Academy Educators Workshop concluded on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, reaffirming the Confederation’s commitment to enhancing referee education on the Continent.

Held from December 15 to 17, the workshop brought together specialists from across Asia to review the existing curriculum, identify areas for improvement and create a blueprint for the optimal delivery of referee education programmes for the AFC’s Member Associations (MAs).

#WAC2026 officials strengthen capabilities at Referees Seminar

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

#WAC2026 officials strengthen capabilities at Referees Seminar

Bangkok: With less than 100 days to go to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted a refereeing seminar from December 1 to 5, 2025, for match officials appointed to the Continent’s premier women’s national team competition.

Hailing from 20 AFC Member Associations (MAs), the 45-strong cast will comprise 16 referees and 18 assistant referees, including two standby officials for each position, as well as 11 Video Match Officials (VMOs), making it the largest-ever contingent of match officials in the competition’s history.

Asian trio officiate 3rd place match at #U17WC

Fri, 28 Nov, 2025

Asian trio officiate 3rd place match at #U17WC

Doha: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s unwavering efforts to produce world-class referees were once again underlined with the appointment of three Asian officials to the third-place Play-off at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

The match, which took place yesterday, saw Italy edge Brazil on penalties following a 0-0 draw.

AFC Futsal Referee Academy continues development journey with Introductory Module 2

Fri, 07 Nov, 2025

AFC Futsal Referee Academy continues development journey with Introductory Module 2

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has further underlined its efforts to nurture elite futsal match officials with the successful completion of the Introductory Module 2 for its inaugural batch.

Taking place from November 3 to 7, 2025, in the Malaysian capital city, Kuala Lumpur, the programme served as an excellent opportunity for the next generation of Asian referees to further hone their skills.

AFC Referee Academy conducts first onside module for Batch 7

Fri, 31 Oct, 2025

AFC Referee Academy conducts first onside module for Batch 7

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted its first onsite module for Batch 7 of the acclaimed AFC Referee Academy from October 27 to 31 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

In a major milestone since the Academy’s inception in 2017, Batch 7 features the largest cohort to date - 62 match officials from across the Continent, including the first-ever participants from the Lao Football Federation (LFF).

AFC Referee Academy continues to nurture Asia’s elite match officials

Thu, 30 Oct, 2025

AFC Referee Academy continues to nurture Asia’s elite match officials

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing officiating standards in Asia with the successful completion of its latest modules for Batches 5 and 6 of the highly acclaimed AFC Referee Academy.

Kicking off the back-to-back modules, the five-day learning experience for Batch 6 took place from October 13 to 17 and was followed by the programme for Batch 5 from October 20 to 24.

Asian officials take centre stage at inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup

Wed, 22 Oct, 2025

Asian officials take centre stage at inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup

Kuala Lumpur: Asian referees will once again script history when the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup™ Philippines 2025 takes place from November 21 to December 7.

The Continent will enjoy maximum representation with nine referees, including one support, in the historic inaugural edition being staged in the host city of Pasig.

16 AFC match officials appointed for FIFA Arab Cup 2025

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

16 AFC match officials appointed for FIFA Arab Cup 2025

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s position as a model Confederation in the world of refereeing was further underlined with the appointment of 16 AFC match officials to the upcoming FIFA Arab Cup 2025.

Representing the largest contingent at the tournament, the AFC officials will comprise four referees, eight assistant referees, and four Video Match Officials (VMOs) for the 11th edition of the competition, which will be held in Qatar from December 1 to 18.

AFC Referee Academy graduates ready to shine at FIFA U-17 World Cup

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

AFC Referee Academy graduates ready to shine at FIFA U-17 World Cup

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Referee Academy’s unwavering efforts to produce referees of the highest standards reached a landmark milestone with as many as 15 officials being appointed to the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

Taking place from November 3 to 27, the competition will see, for the first time, a fully home-grown cast of referees featuring in a FIFA competition, further reiterating the AFC’s resolve to establish its position as a model Confederation.

AFC Elite Futsal Referees & Instructors elevate skills at seminar

Fri, 22 Aug, 2025

AFC Elite Futsal Referees & Instructors elevate skills at seminar

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) once again underlined its commitment to enhancing refereeing standards in the futsal landscape with the successful staging of the AFC Elite Futsal Referees & Instructors Seminar 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The seminar, which took place from August 16 to 22, brought together futsal instructors and referees from across the Continent to guide them in enhancing fitness and staying abreast of the latest technological advancements.

Referees - Latest Videos

AFC-UEFA partnership to drive refereeing excellence

Fri, 13 Feb, 2026

AFC-UEFA partnership to drive refereeing excellence

Limassol: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recently concluded a high-level strategic meeting with the UEFA Referees Department in Limassol, Cyprus, reaffirming a shared commitment to strengthening global officiating standards through structured cooperation, technical exchange, and long-term development initiatives.

The meeting saw the establishment of a structured framework for enhanced technical cooperation aimed at continuously strengthening refereeing structures, governance models and performance standards across competitions at all levels.

AFC Video Match Officials Selection Course 2026 reinforces standards

Sun, 08 Feb, 2026

AFC Video Match Officials Selection Course 2026 reinforces standards

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Video Match Officials (VMO) Selection Course 2026 drew to an end on Friday in Kuala Lumpur, marking yet another step forward in the Confederation’s continuous efforts to enhance officiating standards on the Continent.

Conducted as part of the selection process to evaluate officials for potential appointment in future AFC competitions, the course involved 18 VMOs newly-registered on the FIFA List for 2026, including seven officials from the AFC Referee Academy.

AFC Referee Academy Educators reinforce craft at in-depth workshop

Mon, 22 Dec, 2025

AFC Referee Academy Educators reinforce craft at in-depth workshop

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Referee Academy Educators Workshop concluded on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, reaffirming the Confederation’s commitment to enhancing referee education on the Continent.

Held from December 15 to 17, the workshop brought together specialists from across Asia to review the existing curriculum, identify areas for improvement and create a blueprint for the optimal delivery of referee education programmes for the AFC’s Member Associations (MAs).

#WAC2026 officials strengthen capabilities at Referees Seminar

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

#WAC2026 officials strengthen capabilities at Referees Seminar

Bangkok: With less than 100 days to go to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted a refereeing seminar from December 1 to 5, 2025, for match officials appointed to the Continent’s premier women’s national team competition.

Hailing from 20 AFC Member Associations (MAs), the 45-strong cast will comprise 16 referees and 18 assistant referees, including two standby officials for each position, as well as 11 Video Match Officials (VMOs), making it the largest-ever contingent of match officials in the competition’s history.

Asian trio officiate 3rd place match at #U17WC

Fri, 28 Nov, 2025

Asian trio officiate 3rd place match at #U17WC

Doha: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s unwavering efforts to produce world-class referees were once again underlined with the appointment of three Asian officials to the third-place Play-off at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

The match, which took place yesterday, saw Italy edge Brazil on penalties following a 0-0 draw.

AFC Futsal Referee Academy continues development journey with Introductory Module 2

Fri, 07 Nov, 2025

AFC Futsal Referee Academy continues development journey with Introductory Module 2

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has further underlined its efforts to nurture elite futsal match officials with the successful completion of the Introductory Module 2 for its inaugural batch.

Taking place from November 3 to 7, 2025, in the Malaysian capital city, Kuala Lumpur, the programme served as an excellent opportunity for the next generation of Asian referees to further hone their skills.

AFC Referee Academy conducts first onside module for Batch 7

Fri, 31 Oct, 2025

AFC Referee Academy conducts first onside module for Batch 7

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted its first onsite module for Batch 7 of the acclaimed AFC Referee Academy from October 27 to 31 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

In a major milestone since the Academy’s inception in 2017, Batch 7 features the largest cohort to date - 62 match officials from across the Continent, including the first-ever participants from the Lao Football Federation (LFF).

AFC Referee Academy continues to nurture Asia’s elite match officials

Thu, 30 Oct, 2025

AFC Referee Academy continues to nurture Asia’s elite match officials

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing officiating standards in Asia with the successful completion of its latest modules for Batches 5 and 6 of the highly acclaimed AFC Referee Academy.

Kicking off the back-to-back modules, the five-day learning experience for Batch 6 took place from October 13 to 17 and was followed by the programme for Batch 5 from October 20 to 24.

Asian officials take centre stage at inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup

Wed, 22 Oct, 2025

Asian officials take centre stage at inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup

Kuala Lumpur: Asian referees will once again script history when the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup™ Philippines 2025 takes place from November 21 to December 7.

The Continent will enjoy maximum representation with nine referees, including one support, in the historic inaugural edition being staged in the host city of Pasig.

16 AFC match officials appointed for FIFA Arab Cup 2025

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

16 AFC match officials appointed for FIFA Arab Cup 2025

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s position as a model Confederation in the world of refereeing was further underlined with the appointment of 16 AFC match officials to the upcoming FIFA Arab Cup 2025.

Representing the largest contingent at the tournament, the AFC officials will comprise four referees, eight assistant referees, and four Video Match Officials (VMOs) for the 11th edition of the competition, which will be held in Qatar from December 1 to 18.

AFC Referee Academy graduates ready to shine at FIFA U-17 World Cup

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

AFC Referee Academy graduates ready to shine at FIFA U-17 World Cup

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Referee Academy’s unwavering efforts to produce referees of the highest standards reached a landmark milestone with as many as 15 officials being appointed to the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

Taking place from November 3 to 27, the competition will see, for the first time, a fully home-grown cast of referees featuring in a FIFA competition, further reiterating the AFC’s resolve to establish its position as a model Confederation.

AFC Elite Futsal Referees & Instructors elevate skills at seminar

Fri, 22 Aug, 2025

AFC Elite Futsal Referees & Instructors elevate skills at seminar

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) once again underlined its commitment to enhancing refereeing standards in the futsal landscape with the successful staging of the AFC Elite Futsal Referees & Instructors Seminar 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The seminar, which took place from August 16 to 22, brought together futsal instructors and referees from across the Continent to guide them in enhancing fitness and staying abreast of the latest technological advancements.