AFC President's message on AFC Grassroots Football Day 2025

Fri, 23 May, 2025

AFC President's message on AFC Grassroots Football Day 2025

Kuala Lumpur: As we celebrate the 12th edition of the AFC Grassroots Football Day, I am heartened to see how this occasion continues to reflect the unwavering commitment of our Member Associations and Regional Associations in expanding the reach of the beautiful game across Asia.

Over the years, this celebration has not only championed the development of football at its most fundamental level but also embraced values that shape responsible citizens of tomorrow.

AFC President pays tribute to history-makers Sharjah FC

Mon, 19 May, 2025

AFC President pays tribute to history-makers Sharjah FC

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated Sharjah FC on securing their maiden Asian club title after the United Arab Emirates side defeated Lion City Sailors FC 2-1 in the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Final at a capacity-filled Bishan Stadium on Sunday.

The visitors broke the deadlock with a quarter of the game left but were hit by an equaliser in added time, only to grab an even later goal in the 97th minute to settle a dramatic final and lay their hands on the coveted trophy.

Japan’s landmark triumph commended by AFC President

Sun, 18 May, 2025

Japan’s landmark triumph commended by AFC President

Kuala Lumpur: Against the backdrop of a historic showpiece for women’s futsal in Asia, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has congratulated Japan on lifting their maiden AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ title after the East Asians defeated Thailand 3-2 on penalties in a riveting final at the Hohhot Sports Centre on Saturday.

Runners-up at each of the previous two editions, Japan twice took the lead only to be pegged back by first-time finalists Thailand, the third-place finishers in 2015 and 2018. Japan then had to come back in extra time to level proceedings after the Thais took the lead for the first time and with both unable to be separated, it was Japan who held their nerve to lift the trophy.

FC Arkadag’s AFC Challenge League™ success praised by Shaikh Salman

Sun, 11 May, 2025

FC Arkadag’s AFC Challenge League™ success praised by Shaikh Salman

Kuala Lumpur: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has congratulated FC Arkadag on clinching the inaugural AFC Challenge League™ title after the Turkmenistan side defeated Cambodia’s Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC 2-1 at a sold-out Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh on Saturday.

Altymyrat Annadurdyyew netted the winner eight minutes from the end of extra-time after Mekan Saparow had seen his 59th minute opener for the side from Ashgabat cancelled out by Saret Krya’s header with eight minutes remaining to take the decider into extra-time.

Shaikh Salman lauds Al Ahli Saudi FC's historic #ACLElite triumph

Sun, 04 May, 2025

Shaikh Salman lauds Al Ahli Saudi FC's historic #ACLElite triumph

Jeddah: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has congratulated Al Ahli Saudi FC after the Saudi Arabian club etched their name into the history books by lifting the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) 2024/25 trophy on Saturday.

On a historic night at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al Ahli Saudi FC defeated Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in front of a capacity crowd of 58,281 fans to achieve Continental success for the first time in a thrilling finale to the inaugural season of Asia’s revamped men’s elite club competition.

Shaikh Salman rallies Asia’s beach soccer contenders to shine in Seychelles

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Shaikh Salman rallies Asia’s beach soccer contenders to shine in Seychelles

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has underlined his confidence in Asia’s representatives at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025 – the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan and Oman – to continue the Continent’s proud tradition at the showpiece, which will be held from May 1 to 11, 2025.

Scheduled to take place at the Paradise Arena in Victoria, Mahé island, Asian sides will draw inspiration from past successes having achieved at least a top four finish in the last four consecutive editions.

Shaikh Salman hails Al Nassr on winning first-ever AFC eChampions League Elite title

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Shaikh Salman hails Al Nassr on winning first-ever AFC eChampions League Elite title

Jeddah: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Club on clinching the inaugural edition of the AFC eChampions League Elite on Monday.

The final day commenced with enthralling semi-final showdowns between Al Nassr, Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos, Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor FC and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis FC, which was followed by a thrilling grand finale where Al Nassr bested Persepolis 2-0 on aggregate after two close battles.