Shaikh Salman commends transformation of Chinese football

Thu, 30 Apr, 2026

Shaikh Salman commends transformation of Chinese football

Vancouver: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, met with Chinese Football Association (CFA) President Song Kai on Wednesday, where he personally commended the significant progress of Chinese football in recent years.

During the high-level meeting in Canada, held on the sidelines of major global football governance events, the AFC President noted the clear positive shift in China PR’s strategic direction since CFA President Song Kai took office in October 2023 and praised his commitment to a youth-first policy and long-term sustainability.

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Shaikh Salman: ‘Unity and Resilience driving Asian football forward’

Wed, 29 Apr, 2026

Shaikh Salman: ‘Unity and Resilience driving Asian football forward’

Vancouver: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa today underscored a landmark year of transformation at the 36th AFC Congress in Vancouver, Canada, reinforcing a message of solidarity and growth for the Continent’s football landscape.

Addressing the Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs), the President expressed his profound gratitude for their steadfast commitment during a challenging period of significant global shifts and uncertainty, noting that their determination and adaptability had been the driving force behind a groundbreaking year.

AFC Professional Football Committee adopts key changes to elevate Asian club football

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

AFC Professional Football Committee adopts key changes to elevate Asian club football

Jeddah: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Professional Football Committee convened for its second meeting on Friday afternoon as it reaffirmed the Confederation’s continued commitment to strengthening the foundations of Asian professional club football.

Held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and led by Chairperson Park Ji-sung, the Committee approved amendments to the AFC Club Competitions – Entry Regulations (Edition 2025) and AFC Club Licensing Regulations (Edition 2024), and also agreed to adopt the AFC Club Competitions – Entry Regulations (Edition 2026) and AFC Club Licensing Regulations (Edition 2026), which are aimed at elevating the professional standards across the Continent.

AFC President and CTFA leadership forge closer ties

Thu, 30 Apr, 2026

AFC President and CTFA leadership forge closer ties

Vancouver: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa met with Chinese Taipei Football Association (CTFA), President Chang Tsan and long-serving Vice President Chris Wang Sheau-Shiun, to discuss a shared vision for football development in the territory.

Held at the sidelines of the 36th AFC Congress, the AFC President officially congratulated President Chang on his December 2025 election and lauded the association’s recent milestones, particularly the rapid ascent of women’s football.

Shaikh Salman: DPRK FA a ‘global model’ for women’s football

Wed, 29 Apr, 2026

Shaikh Salman: DPRK FA a ‘global model’ for women’s football

Vancouver: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, met with DPR Korea Football Association (DPRK FA) President Kim IL Guk on Wednesday, reaffirming the Confederation’s commitment to advancing football development in the country.

During the meeting, Shaikh Salman lauded DPR Korea’s extraordinary dominance on both the Continental and global stages. Most recently, the nation reached the Final of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ earlier this month, finishing as runners-up to Japan after a hard-fought 1-0 defeat.

AFC President salutes Al Ahli Saudi FC on historic back-to-back triumph

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

AFC President salutes Al Ahli Saudi FC on historic back-to-back triumph

Jeddah: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has praised Al Ahli Saudi FC for successfully defending their AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) crown after the West Asians defeated FC Machida Zelvia 1-0 in a riveting Final on Saturday.

With this landmark victory, Al Ahli Saudi secured their place in Asian football history by becoming only the second club in the competition's modern era to claim back-to-back titles, emulating the historic feat of their Jeddah cross-town rivals, Al-Ittihad Club, who achieved consecutive triumphs in 2004 and 2005.